IPL 2026: 'Watching the ball and playing our shots has worked for us,' says Kishan on SRH approach
Chennai, May 18
Sunrisers Hyderabad wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan believes keeping batting simple and reacting to the ball rather than overthinking situations has been the key to his side's approach in the Indian Premier League 2026 as they clash against Chennai Super Kings at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday.
Ahead of the match, Kishan stressed that the batting group does not believe in complicating things and instead focuses on reading the conditions and playing naturally.
"Nothing too complicated, it's simply about watching the ball and playing your shots. There's no need to do anything different. That's what we've done over the last few games as well. We've just watched the ball and played according to what the situation demanded," Kishan told broadcasters ahead of the match.
The wicketkeeper-batter added that maintaining clarity of thought and staying relaxed at the crease has helped the side perform consistently through the season.
"We've been playing this way throughout the tournament. Our last game didn't go well, but at the same time, the most important thing is how you approach each match, taking it one game at a time and starting every new game with a fresh mindset. That's what our focus will be on," he said.
Kishan also spoke about the positive atmosphere within the squad and said the players have continued to believe in each other even during difficult phases of the tournament.
"I think we've been in a really good space throughout the season. There's been a very good tempo within the group, and everyone has contributed together. Even when we lost a few games early on, the mindset was always that we could come back from anywhere," he said.
"When you're in a good headspace, you're able to play your best cricket. That's exactly what we've done throughout the season so far, and we'll continue doing that," he added.
Kishan further highlighted the importance of trust between batting partners, saying the side has benefited from players backing each other in pressure situations.
"I think trusting each other is the most important thing. If one batter isn't able to get going for a few overs, there's confidence that the other guy will take charge," he said. "We take it one ball at a time and try to stay in a space where we can play our best shots," Kishan added.
Kishan has been a standout performer in the ongoing season. He has scored 420 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 185.84. He has also hit four half-centuries.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I really appreciate Kishan's maturity here. He's not just talking about batting technique but also about the team's mental space and trusting each other. That's the kind of dressing room culture that wins tournaments. SRH has completely transformed under this new management. 👏
Nice to see Kishan doing well again. He had a rough patch in international cricket but seems to have found his rhythm in IPL. That strike rate of 185 is insane! Hope he carries this form into the India squad when needed.
One thing I'd respectfully point out is that this "simple approach" works brilliantly when the pitch is flat, but what about when the ball is turning or stopping? Seeing SRH collapse against decent spin bowling has been a concern. Just watching the ball and playing shots isn't enough against quality bowling on tricky surfaces. Let's see how they adapt under pressure at Chepauk today. 🤔
As an overseas viewer, I find IPL fascinating. The way Indian players like Kishan balance aggression with composure is a masterclass in modern T20 batting. Also love how he emphasises team bonding and trust - that's so crucial in a high-pressure league like this.
Kishan is playing like a man possessed this season! That 420 runs in 12 matches with a strike rate close to 190 is just phenomenal. The best part is he's doing it consistently, not just in one or two games. If SRH wins the IPL this year, Kishan will be a big reason for it. Mark my words! 💯
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.