IPL 2026: SRH surge to top, crush PBKS by 33 runs despite Connolly’s century

The Indian Premier League has a new table-topper as Sunrisers Hyderabad rode on an explosive batting display and disciplined bowling effort to defeat Punjab Kings by 33 runs in a high-scoring clash on Wednesday.

Powered by half-centuries from Heinrich Klaasen (69 off 43) and Ishan Kishan (55 off 32), SRH piled up a daunting 235/4 after being asked to bat. Openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma set the tone early, adding 79 runs in the powerplay to put PBKS under immediate pressure.

Advertisement

Despite losing a wicket, SRH maintained their aggressive approach, with Kishan and Klaasen capitalising on multiple dropped chances to keep the scoreboard ticking. Their acceleration through the middle overs ensured Hyderabad comfortably crossed the 200-mark, with a late flourish pushing the total well beyond reach.

In response, PBKS suffered an early collapse, losing both openers inside the first over. Pat Cummins led from the front with sharp captaincy and struck early, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Eshan Malinga piled on the pressure with crucial wickets.

At 57/3 in the powerplay, the chase was already slipping away, despite the scoring rate remaining high. Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly attempted a counter-attack, but the required rate continued to climb.

Connolly stood out with a brilliant unbeaten 107 off 59 balls, his maiden T20 century, showing composure and range in a lone battle. However, lack of support from the other end meant PBKS could only reach 202/7 in their 20 overs.

SRH bowlers kept things tight in the latter stages, with Cummins and Shivang Kumar picking up two wickets each to ensure there was no late twist.

Earlier, PBKS’ fielding lapses, including dropped catches of Kishan and Klaasen, proved costly, allowing SRH to build a match-winning total.

With this win, SRH climb to the top of the table, while PBKS are left to rue missed opportunities in both fielding and execution.

Playing XIs:

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Smaran Ravichandran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (c), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain