In what has become a recurring heartbreak for top-four hopefuls, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) followed the script laid out just a day before by Lucknow Super Giants, by setting a massive target of over 230 and then defending it with disciplined bowling under pressure. This time, the victims were the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who now find their qualification scenario hanging by a thread — and in the hands of other teams.
Batting first after RCB chose to bowl, SRH posted a daunting 231/6, with Ishan Kishan starring in a scintillating knock of 94 off 48 balls, narrowly missing his second century of the season. The opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma had already laid the foundation with a fiery 50+ stand inside 5 overs, before a double-blow briefly lifted RCB spirits.
But despite wickets falling at the other end, Kishan kept the scoreboard ticking. Heinrich Klaasen and Aniket Choudhary chipped in with useful cameos to push the total well beyond the par score at this venue.
RCB’s bowlers, missing the presence of Josh Hazlewood, struggled for rhythm. Only Romario Shepherd stood out with figures of 2/14 in 2 overs, and it remains a mystery why he wasn’t bowled out completely.
In response, RCB started strong — Kohli and a returning Phil Salt set the tone, with Salt hammering a quickfire 62 off 32 balls. Even after a few quick wickets, the chase seemed on track with stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar building momentum.
But once pressure set in and wickets started tumbling, it all went downhill. RCB lost 7 wickets for just 16 runs in 4.1 overs, folding for 189 and handing SRH a 42-run victory. The collapse was dramatic, with some poor running between the wickets, increasing scoreboard pressure, and a visibly struggling Tim David who couldn’t accelerate when it mattered most.
This defeat not only cost RCB two points but has also seen them drop below Punjab Kings (PBKS) on net run rate, a crucial metric as the playoff race tightens.
🔎 Takeaways:
- SRH bowlers showed great composure in the death overs.
- RCB’s death batting frailty has re-emerged at the worst possible time.
- With net run rate now a factor, RCB will have to hope for favourable results elsewhere.
📊 Top Performers:
- Ishan Kishan: 94 (48)
- Phil Salt: 62 (32)
- SRH Captain: 3/28 (4 overs)
- Romario Shepherd: 2/14 (2 overs)
🔥 With the playoffs inching closer, the drama is just getting started.
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