Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) delivered a batting masterclass followed by a disciplined bowling performance to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 42 runs in a high-octane encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
The victory, fueled by a sensational unbeaten 94 from Ishan Kishan, significantly dents RCB’s hopes for a top-two finish in IPL 2025.
After RCB won the toss and opted to field, SRH’s openers, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, immediately made them rue that decision. They launched into a blistering assault, rocketing to a fifty in just 3.3 overs, matching SRH’s own record for the joint-quickest team fifty in Lucknow. While both openers departed soon after, the foundation for a massive total was firmly laid.
The momentum never wavered as Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen seamlessly took over. Their fluent stroke play propelled SRH to a formidable 71/2 in the Powerplay, the second-highest Powerplay score ever recorded at this venue. Kishan, in particular, was in destructive form, dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground and bringing up his fifty with remarkable ease.
RCB did manage to pull things back in the middle overs, conceding only 41 runs off five overs (13-17) and applying some much-needed pressure. However, SRH finished with a flourish, adding a blistering 43 runs off the last three overs. Kishan, supported by captain Pat Cummins, spearheaded this late surge, propelling SRH to an imposing total of 231/6. Their 15 sixes in the innings marked the second-most hit in a T20 innings in Lucknow, underscoring their exceptional power-hitting display. This massive total also contributed to the 42nd 200+ team score of the high-scoring IPL 2025 season.
Chasing a mammoth target, RCB’s openers responded admirably, surpassing SRH’s Powerplay effort with a blazing 72/0. They maintained their aggressive approach, reaching 118/1 in the first 10 overs, comfortably ahead of SRH’s 113/3 at the same stage. The game remained finely balanced until the fifteenth over, with SRH at 168/5 and RCB at a precarious yet promising 167/3.
However, the tide dramatically turned in SRH’s favour due to a sensational display of death bowling. The trio of Eshan Malinga, Jaydev Unadkat, and Pat Cummins delivered a masterclass in restricting runs and picking up crucial wickets. Their exceptional execution led to a dramatic collapse, with RCB losing their last seven wickets for a mere 16 runs, ultimately falling short by 42 runs.
Ishan Kishan was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match for his magnificent unbeaten innings of 94 runs off just 48 deliveries, an innings that set the tone for SRH’s dominant performance.
This heavy loss means RCB no longer control their own destiny for a top-two finish in the league stage. They will now have to rely on other results, specifically hoping for either Gujarat Titans (GT) or Punjab Kings (PBKS) to lose their upcoming matches, to have any chance of securing a coveted spot in the top two.
Scorecard:
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 231-6, Overs 20, Ishan Kishan 94*, Romario Shepherd 2/14
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 189, Overs 19.5, Philip Salt 62, Pat Cummins 3/28
