Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a dominant batting display to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs, but the result still saw RCB finish at the top of the IPL 2026 table, with Gujarat Titans also sealing a top-two spot.
Half-centuries from Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma powered SRH to 255 for 4, one of the highest totals of the season. However, RCB’s response of 200 for 4 ensured their net run-rate remained strong enough to secure a place in Qualifier 1 alongside GT.
Match Summary:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 255 for 4 (Kishan 79, Abhishek 56, Klaasen 51; Rasikh 2-52)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 200 for 4 (Patidar 56, Venkatesh 44; Malinga 2-33)
- Result: SRH won by 55 runs
RCB Seal Top Spot Despite Defeat
Despite the loss, RCB’s priority was to maintain a margin that would keep them in the top two. After SRH’s imposing total, the equation was clear — avoiding a heavy defeat was crucial.
Venkatesh Iyer’s aggressive 44 from 19 balls provided a strong start, taking the score to 60 in just 4.3 overs. Although Virat Kohli managed only 15, contributions from Devdutt Padikkal (21), Rajat Patidar (56) and Krunal Pandya (41*) ensured RCB crossed 200, comfortably staying above the required threshold.
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Patidar’s fourth half-century of the season anchored the innings, while Krunal’s unbeaten knock helped RCB finish strongly.
Abhishek Sets the Platform
Earlier, Abhishek Sharma made the most of multiple dropped chances, launching an aggressive 56 that set the tone for SRH. On a batting-friendly surface, he attacked both pace and spin, ensuring SRH raced ahead in the powerplay.
By the time he was dismissed in the ninth over, SRH were already closing in on a three-figure total.
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Kishan and Klaasen Power SRH
Ishan Kishan continued his strong record against RCB, scoring 79 from 46 balls to register his fourth consecutive fifty against them. After a cautious start, he accelerated through the middle overs, playing a key role in a 73-run burst between overs 11 and 15.
Heinrich Klaasen followed a similar pattern, recovering from a slow start to score 51. His assault on Josh Hazlewood, including multiple sixes, proved decisive, and his innings marked his sixth half-century of the season. He also became the first player to cross 600 runs in a T20 tournament while batting at No. 4 or lower.
Late Surge Takes SRH Past 250
Nitish Kumar Reddy added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 29 from 12 balls, striking multiple sixes in the final overs. The late surge pushed SRH beyond the 250 mark and left RCB’s senior bowlers under pressure, with both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood going wicketless.
Playoff Picture Confirmed
With all three teams finishing on 18 points, net run-rate determined the final standings. RCB secured the top spot, Gujarat Titans finished second, and Sunrisers Hyderabad ended third.
As a result, RCB and GT will face off in Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala, while SRH will head into the Eliminator despite their commanding win.
