The opening match of the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League was played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru between RCB and SRH. (Image X @GemsOfCrickets)
New Delhi: The opening match of the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League was played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. In this match, the Indian team's experienced wicketkeeper-batsman, Ishan Kishan, was captaining for the very first time. After playing 119 matches, Kishan finally received the opportunity to lead a team in the IPL. On his captaincy debut itself, Ishan Kishan played a historic innings. He stole the show with his batting prowess. In doing so, he also set a major record.
In fact, Ishan Kishan has become the player with the highest individual score on a captaincy debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He played a blistering innings of 80 runs off just 38 balls against RCB. Kishan's innings included 8 fours and 5 sixes. His strike rate stood at an impressive 210.53. Notably, prior to Kishan, this record was held by Manish Pandey, who scored an unbeaten 69 runs off 41 balls against Mumbai Indians during his captaincy debut for SRH in 2021.
Ishan Kishan – 80 runs vs RCB, 2026
Manish Pandey – 69* runs vs MI, 2021
David Warner – 53 runs vs CSK, 2015
It is worth noting that Sunrisers Hyderabad's regular captain is the Australian fast bowler, Pat Cummins. However, Pat Cummins is currently sidelined due to an injury and is therefore not playing at the moment. In Cummins' absence, SRH has appointed Ishan Kishan as captain. Kishan will continue to lead the team until Cummins returns. Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma has been named the vice-captain.
The 27-year-old Ishan Kishan had a sensational run with the bat during the 2026 T20 World Cup. He scored 317 runs in 9 matches, batting at a strike rate of 193.29. Three half-centuries came off Kishan's bat during the World Cup.
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