IPL 2026: Sunrisers open account with a clinical win over Knight Riders

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) put up a united effort, including Nitish Kumar’s all-round show and Heinrich Klaasen’s solid half-century, to record a convincing 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and open its account in IPL 2026 at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday (April 2, 2026).

After home skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss on his 200th appearance and inserted the visitors in, SRH relied on its flamboyant openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma’s breathtaking knocks and Klaasen and Nitish Kumar’s crucial contributions down the order to post a formidable 226 for eight.

In its first home match, KKR was all out for 161 to the disappointment of a packed house.

SRH’s left-handed opening duo unleashed a carnage on a batter-friendly surface as the visitor raced to 84 for one in the PowerPlay.

Head (46) showcased his trademark fireworks on both sides by punishing Blessing Muzarabani and Vaibhav Arora, while Abhishek (48) plundered 25 runs, hammering two sixes over long-on and three fours on the off-side, off Varun Chakaravarthy to dent the spinner’s confidence.

KKR fought back well. Head, who offered a hard chance on 34, miscued Kartik Tyagi to mid-on.

The KKR bowlers made further inroads and put the brakes on SRH’s run rate.

Muzarabani varied his length and pace to have stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan and Abhishek caught on the ropes.

Spinners Anukul Roy and Sunil Narine bowled tidily in the middle overs.

Klaasen (52) and Nitish (39) steadied the ship with an 82-run stand.

Vaibhav dismissed Nitish and Salil Arora off consecutive deliveries in the 19th over.

Klaasen executed some big hits before falling to Muzarabani, who impressed with four wickets.

KKR stuttered in its reply as the SRH bowlers, including Nitish Kumar (2/17), executed their plans well.

Finn Allen’s belligerence earned KKR 25 runs in the first over but the Kiwi’s stay was short-lived.

Rahane fell cheaply and Cameron Green was run out as KKR struggled at 74 for three.

The young Angkrish Raghuvanshi (52) showed maturity as he gathered runs faster to get his second consecutive half-century and keep the host’s chances alive. However, his run out followed by quick wickets hampered KKR’s progress.

Veteran left-arm medium-pacer Jaydev Unadkat finished with figures of three for 21 as KKR was bowled out in 16 overs.