The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 continues to deliver high-octane drama and the 45th match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was no exception. A wet Sunday evening Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cemented their play-off aspirations with a clinical 7-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). A run chase anchored by KKR’s disciplined bowling and rising star despite a quick start from the home side Angkrish Raghuvanshi– Proved a lot for the Orange Army.
KKR’s bowling stops Sunrisers Hyderabad at a low score
Sunrisers Hyderabad, who won the toss and elected to bat, looked poised for a mammoth total during the Powerplay. Head of Travis was in deadly mood, reaching his half-century off just 22 deliveries. Next to it Ishan KishiHead, who contributed a steady 42 off 29 balls, took SRH to 71/1 in the first six overs. However, the momentum changed dramatically after KKR’s spin duo Sunil Narine and Varun Chakraborty got into a fight.
The moderate collapse was swift and unforgiving. Chakravarthy was the destroyer in chief, finishing with impressive figures of 3/36, including important wickets. Ravichandran Smaran and Aniket Verma. Narine smothered the scoring rate with four overs of 2/31 Karthik Tyagideath speed earned him 2/30. From a comfortable position of 105/1, SRH collapsed under pressure, losing the last nine wickets for just 60 runs. The home team were eventually bundled out for 165 in 19 overs, a score that felt at least 20 short on the real Hyderabad surface.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane lead KKR to a decisive win over SRH
Chasing 166, KKR took an aggressive stance from the start. Impact Player Find Allen provided the first fireworks, smashing 29 off just 13 balls at a strike rate of 223.07 and ensuring the visitors matched SRH’s Powerplay intensity. With Allen gone, the stage was set for young wicketkeeper-batsman Raghuvanshi and the veteran skipper. Ajinkya Rahane To dismantle the Hyderabad bowling attack.
The pair shared a crucial partnership that took the game away from SRH. Rahane played the anchor to perfection, hitting 43 off 36 balls with four fours and a six. On the other hand, Raghuvanshi demonstrated why he is considered the future of KKR’s batting. He reached his fifty in 39 balls and finished brilliantly with 59 off 47 deliveries which included five fours and two powerful sixes.
while Pat Cummins (1/47) and Sakib Hussain (1/17) tried to stem the flow of runs, never reaching the target. After discarding the variables, Rinku Singh (22* off 11) and Cameron Green (3* off 3) applied the finishing touches. KKR reached 169/3 in 18.2 overs, securing victory with 10 balls to spare. This dominant performance has sent SRH back to the drawing board as the league stage draws closer, lifting KKR up the table.
Also WATCH: Rovman Powell takes sensational flying catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen in SRH vs KKR clash
Here’s how the fans reacted:
KKR claim clinical 7-wicket win over SRH in IPL clash 2026, proving their dominance through sheer cricketing brilliance! 🏏🔥#KKR #SRH #IPL2026 #KolkataKnights #SunrisersHyderabad #CricketLife #Victory #AmiKKR #PurpleArmy #T20 💜🙌 pic.twitter.com/lGT1sEHMuk
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 3, 2026
A convincing win for KKR. He played well. 3 wins on the jump. He played well.
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) May 3, 2026
ENGLISH RAGUVANSHI 💜🔥
What a tattoo 👏
Sincerity + intention + class 👊#SRHvsKKR pic.twitter.com/QpJZr9TfgS— Samee (@iam_samee) May 3, 2026
One thing I’ve noticed is that some of the underrated players are being overshadowed by the big stars. Players like Rinku Singh, Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi fall into this category, they are actually very talented players.#RinkuSingh #AjinkyaRahane…
— Ashu Patel (@Al0neBoy8) May 3, 2026
PARTNERSHIP RENEWAL
The 50-run partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi is complete
In the Kolkata Knight Riders chase, both the batsmen steadied the innings and took complete control.#SRHvsKKR #IPL2026 #cricket pic.twitter.com/PaLuDq6VMc
— Mufaddal Shailu (@Shailu_15Jul) May 3, 2026
Who is Jeet?
Fifty against SRH in Kolkata
Fifty vs SRH in Hyderabad.Angkrish Raghuvanshi is seen everywhere 🔥💜
The Star of Kolkata Knight Riders is here!#SRHvsKKR pic.twitter.com/2G9ESpN04Y— Meme Station (@memestation21) May 3, 2026
There is only one Starboy and that is Angkrish Raghuvanshi 💥 pic.twitter.com/IIKvNzwti8
— usual. (@HurricaneRana_27) May 3, 2026
Big knock by Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Against again by SRH ❤️ #SRHvsKKR pic.twitter.com/maL2YossEB— Ajitabh Kumar Pandey (@Ajitabh1019506) May 3, 2026
RAGUVANSHI LEFT – Classic fifty!
◾ Angkrish Raghuvanshi mature half-century – Solid No.3 knock! 💥
◾ Fifty vs SRH in Kolkata and Fifty vs SRH in Hyderabad! 💜
◾ Bounces back after a lean patch 📈
◾ Shining future star for KKR! 🌟 #SRHvKKR #IPL2026 #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/dnfJbBWEWJ— Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) May 3, 2026
Varun Chakraborty in IPL 2026
4 overs, 48 runs, 0 wickets vs MI
2 overs, 31 runs, 0 wickets vs SRH
No result due to rain
3 overs, 26 runs, 0 wickets vs CSK
4 overs, 34 runs, 2 wickets vs GT
4 overs, 14 runs, 3 wickets vs RR
4 overs, 33 runs, 2 wickets vs LSG
4 runs, 36 runs,… pic.twitter.com/3loxOPTgr3— Mohit Bohra (@mohitsharma1910) May 3, 2026
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD POURS AT UPPAL.
Abhishek Sharma failed
Heinrich Klaasen failed
Fifty for Travis Head
Ishan for men 40+
Aniket Verma and Salil Arora failedBrilliant in the last 6 overs from 101/1 to 165/10 and 9 wickets by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy… pic.twitter.com/VUuxaXqe6L
— Mufaddal Shailu (@Shailu_15Jul) May 3, 2026
Also READ: IPL 2026: Here’s Why Tim Seifert Won’t Play Today’s Match Against Sunrisers Hyderabad
