Ishan Kishan's century celebration confirmed a tight slap to Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar

Ishan Kishan roared fearlessly while representing his new franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in their IPL 2025 opener against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday, March 23, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Coming to bat at No. 3, Ishan Kishan made his intent clear with a blistering century—the first of the IPL 2025—and powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a dominant 44-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in their season opener at home on Sunday.

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The explosive Indian wicketkeeper-batter played a match-winning knock of unbeaten 106 off just 47 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries and 11 sixes against the Royals. But what caught everyone's attention was Kishan’s animated celebration after reaching his hundred in Hyderabad.

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After the match, former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested that Ishan Kishan’s reaction was more than just a moment of joy. Vaughan reckoned that Kishan’s celebration was directed at the Indian chief selectors Ajit Agarkar, captain Rohit Sharma, and his former franchise Mumbai Indians.

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction last year, Mumbai Indians released Kishan, and Sunrisers Hyderabad seized the opportunity and snapped him up for INR 11.25 crore. Even Indian selectors also dropped Kishan from the national team across the formats.

Ishan Kishan's celebration maybe aimed for MI, Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma: Michael Vaughan

On his debut for SRH, Kishan proved his worth in style, smashing an aggressive knock that powered the franchise to a massive total of 286/6, the second-highest team score in IPL history. It was a perfect start for both Ishan and his new franchise this season.

Michael Vaughan was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz, “Kishan’s celebration for three figures today, that was a celebration maybe (aimed) for Mumbai, maybe to the chairman of selectors, maybe to Rohit Sharma, maybe to the whole of India, maybe to the whole of the world, just to say, ‘Look I’m a decent player.’ He’s a wonderfully balanced player, with the break of the wrist to just flick the ball. He’s got that great shot on the onside with anything short.”

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The Englishman also expressed his admiration for India's vast talent pool, joking that he would also love to be chairman of selectors and enjoy the tough job. Vaughan also mentioned how only exceptional performances can earn a spot on the Indian cricket team.

Michael Vaughan hails India's talent pool

The cricket pundit also emphasized that scoring a century in T20 cricket is the most challenging feat, making Kishan’s knock even more special. Vaughan further noted, “I’d love to be the chairman of selectors for India. I mean, the selection meetings would be long because you’ve got so many players to talk about, and you’d be a naughty step as a selector because you’re saying to someone, ‘Sorry, you’re not even in the top five at the minute.’”

H signed off by saying. “The talent pool in Indian cricket is monstrous, and the only way that you can get in, the only way that you can push yourself into that setup, is by doing remarkable things. I think of all the formats to get a century in, T20 cricket is the hardest format to get in.”