Kolkata Knight Riders secured a comprehensive 7-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on May 3.
A sensational middle-overs squeeze led by Varun Chakravarthy triggered a collapse for SRH, before a steady partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi ensured KKR chased down the 166-run target with 10 balls to spare.
Match Summary: SRH vs KKR, IPL 2026 Match 45
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| SRH Score | 165 (19 overs) |
| KKR Score | 169/3 (18.2 overs) |
| Match Result | KKR won by 7 wickets (10 balls left) |
| Best Batting (KKR) | Angkrish Raghuvanshi – 59 off 47 balls |
| Best Bowling (KKR) | Varun Chakravarthy – 3/36 in 4 overs |
| Venue | Rajiv Gandhi Intl. Stadium, Hyderabad |
SRH Innings: 165 All Out in 19 Overs
Sunrisers Hyderabad started with their usual explosive intent as Travis Head (61 off 28) blasted a 22-ball fifty. Alongside Ishan Kishan (42), Head powered SRH to 105/1 in 9 overs. However, the introduction of the KKR spinners completely flipped the script. Varun Chakravarthy (3/36) removed Head and Smaran in quick succession, triggering a massive collapse.
SRH lost their last 9 wickets for just 60 runs as Sunil Narine (2/31) and Kartik Tyagi (2/30) kept the pressure on. From a position of absolute dominance, SRH were bundled out for 165 in the 19th over, leaving their bowlers with a total that felt well below par on a good batting deck.
SRH Innings At A Glance
| Details | SRH Innings |
|---|---|
| Total | 165 all out in 19 overs |
| Powerplay | 71/1 (0–6 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Travis Head – 61 off 28 balls |
| Best Partnership | Head & Kishan – 61 runs |
| Best Bowling (KKR) | Varun Chakravarthy – 3/36 (4 overs) |
KKR Chase: 169/3 in 18.2 Overs
The chase was anchored by a mature performance from the KKR top order. After Impact Player Finn Allen (29 off 13) provided a rapid start, captain Ajinkya Rahane (43 off 36) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (59 off 47) shared a match-winning 84-run stand. Raghuvanshi’s half-century was a display of poise, effectively neutralizing the SRH pace attack.
Rinku Singh (22 off 11)* provided the late fireworks to ensure there were no hiccups. Despite a tidy spell from Sakib Hussain (1/17), the SRH bowlers lacked the bite needed to defend the total. KKR reached the target comfortably in the 19th over, securing 2 vital points.
KKR Chase At A Glance
| Details | KKR Chase |
|---|---|
| Target | 166 runs |
| Total | 169/3 in 18.2 overs |
| Powerplay | 71/1 (0–6 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Angkrish Raghuvanshi – 59 off 47 balls |
| Best Bowling (SRH) | Sakib Hussain – 1/17 (3 overs) |
Key Highlights
- Chakravarthy’s Impact: Varun Chakravarthy’s three wickets in the middle overs turned a projected 220+ score into a 165-run total, earning him the Player of the Match.
- Head’s Powerplay Fury: Travis Head’s strike rate of 217.85 during the Powerplay briefly looked set to take the game away from KKR.
- Raghuvanshi’s Maturity: Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s ability to anchor the chase alongside his captain showed a tactical maturity that outclassed the SRH bowling plans.
Player of the Match
Varun Chakravarthy (KKR): Awarded for his game-changing spell of 3/36. His ability to pick up the wickets of set batters and dry up the runs in the middle overs was the cornerstone of KKR’s victory.
