Sat, Jun 13 2026
Cricket News

Ishan Kishan’s Financial Help To Teammate Leaked – Ishan Kishan’s Heartwarming Gesture: Gifting Spikes to SRH Teammate Sakib Hussain

Dayaram Mohanty · · 5 min read

Ishan Kishan helped SRH teammate in IPL 2026 [Source: AP]

A Beautiful Bond Beyond the Boundary

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is often celebrated for its grand auctions, packed stadiums, and life-changing financial contracts. However, beneath the glitz and glamour, the true essence of the tournament lies in the human connections forged in the dressing rooms. In the IPL 2026 season, a heartwarming story of empathy and brotherhood emerged from the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) camp, involving stand-in captain Ishan Kishan and rookie fast bowler Sakib Hussain. A recent revelation by Hussain has gone viral on social media, reminding cricket fans of the quiet kindness that exists behind the scenes.

Sakib Hussain’s Hard Road to the Big League

Sakib Hussain, a talented right-arm pacer, made his highly anticipated IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2026 edition. He enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season, taking 15 wickets in just 11 games and firmly establishing himself as a strong contender for the Emerging Player award. However, his journey to the pinnacle of domestic cricket was filled with immense hardship.

In an emotional interview with ESPNCricinfo, Hussain opened up about the financial struggles he faced before making it to the big league. For a fast bowler, proper footwear is not a luxury—it is an absolute necessity to prevent severe injuries. Unfortunately, Hussain could not afford the expensive specialized spikes required for professional fast bowling.

“There was a time I did not have any shoes. I couldn’t even think about owning a pair of shoes that expensive. How could I wear shoes that cost Rs 12,000-15,000? The shoes bought off the roadside for Rs 200-300 wore out soon. The sole would tear. Without spikes, my foot kept slipping and my ankles got sprained many times,” Hussain shared, reflecting on the painful physical toll of his early career.

How Ishan Kishan Stepped Up to Help

Fast bowling puts immense pressure on a player’s body, and bowling without the right grip is a recipe for career-threatening ankle and knee injuries. When Ishan Kishan learned about his younger teammate’s struggles, he did not hesitate to act. Understanding the pain of financial limitation firsthand, Kishan immediately stepped in to help.

Kishan gifted Sakib Hussain six to seven pairs of premium Adidas Adipower spike shoes, with each pair valued between ‣12,000 and ‣15,000. This gesture ensured that the young speedster could perform at his best throughout the IPL 2026 season without the fear of injury holding him back.

“I have 6 pair of spikes, currently. Ishan Bhaiya got them for me. Ishan told me he will get spikes for me and I told him Adipower from Adidas. So full season, I have been playing with the spikes he only got me,” an incredibly grateful Hussain added.

A Shared Connection from Bihar

Kishan’s swift and generous response stems from his own humble beginnings. Hailing from the same state of Bihar, Kishan and his family faced their own financial hurdles as they strove to support his cricketing dreams during his formative years. Having walked a similar path, Kishan recognized Hussain’s plight and wanted to ensure that lack of equipment would not stand in the way of a brilliant young career. Today, Kishan is recognized as a dominant force in Indian cricket, but his willingness to look out for his teammates shows he has not forgotten his roots.

Ishan Kishan’s Stellar Run in IPL 2026

Beyond his inspiring leadership and kindness off the field, Ishan Kishan also enjoyed a phenomenal run on it. In the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, Kishan took on the captaincy mantle early in the tournament, laying a very strong foundation that helped Sunrisers Hyderabad qualify for the playoffs.

With the bat, Kishan put together his most successful IPL season to date. For the first time in his career, he breached the 600-run milestone in a single IPL edition. Over 15 matches, he amassed 602 runs at an impressive average of 40.13, smashing six half-centuries and launching 32 sixes. His sublime form at the top of the order was crucial in driving SRH into the playoffs.

Heartbreak in the IPL 2026 Eliminator

Despite their strong league stage performance, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s campaign came to a sudden halt in the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Chandigarh. Batting first, the Royals posted a massive total of 243 runs, powered by a spectacular, explosive innings from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who blasted 97 runs off just 29 deliveries. Dhruv Jurel also made a vital contribution with a quick-fire half-century.

Chasing a mammoth target, SRH’s batting lineup faltered under pressure. Opener Abhishek Sharma departed for a duck, putting immediate pressure on the team. While Travis Head and Ishan Kishan got off to decent starts, they were unable to convert them into match-winning contributions. Kishan showed intent, hitting a rapid 33 off just 11 balls, but his innings was cut short when Jofra Archer dismissed him, dealing a massive blow to Hyderabad’s chase.

Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy fought valiantly to keep the run chase alive, but their efforts were not enough. Jofra Archer dismantled the middle order, taking 3 crucial wickets as SRH was bowled out for 196 runs, losing the match by 47 runs. With this victory, Rajasthan Royals advanced to Qualifier 2 to face Gujarat Titans, ending Hyderabad’s dream of lifting the trophy.

A Season of Heart and Hope

While Sunrisers Hyderabad will be disappointed with their playoff exit, the IPL 2026 season will be remembered for much more than just the final scoreboard. The heartwarming camaraderie between Ishan Kishan and Sakib Hussain stands as a beautiful testament to the power of sport to unite, elevate, and inspire. For Hussain, those spikes represent far more than athletic gear—they are a symbol of a senior teammate’s belief in his potential and a reminder that in cricket, no one walks alone.