Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Punjab Kings by 33 runs in Match 49 of the Indian Premier League, riding on a ferocious 235/4 and then holding off Cooper Connolly’s brilliant 107 off 59. Heinrich Klaasen’s 69 from 43 and Ishan Kishan’s 55 from 32 built the platform, while Pat Cummins’ 2/34 and sharp new-ball strikes helped close out another significant SRH win.
This result extended Sunrisers Hyderabad’s strong run through the league phase and added another emphatic result to a campaign that has already featured wins by 65, 57, 47 and 10 runs, as well as successful chases. For Punjab Kings, it was a setback in a season that had already included several close wins and a 54-run victory earlier in the tournament. With this being Match 49 of 70, the league stage remains wide open, and the next fixture in the competition is Lucknow Super Giants versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, May 7.
SRH’s top order set the pace
Sunrisers Hyderabad were full throttle almost from the start. Abhishek Sharma smashed 35 off 13 balls, striking 2 fours and 4 sixes, while Travis Head blasted 38 off 19 with 3 fours and 3 sixes. That opening burst ensured Punjab Kings were immediately under pressure.
Once the platform had been laid, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen turned pressure into damage. Kishan made 55 off 32 balls at a strike rate of 171.9, and Klaasen went even deeper, finishing with 69 off 43 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes. Their middle-overs control meant SRH did not dip after the powerplay assault. Nitish Kumar Reddy then added a late surge with 29 off just 13 balls, striking at 223.1, to carry the total to a towering 235/4.
Punjab Kings’ bowlers struggled to contain the flow. Yuzvendra Chahal was the most economical with 1/32 in his four overs, while Arshdeep Singh took 1/43. Lockie Ferguson finished with 1/41, Vijaykumar Vyshak had 1/54, and Marco Jansen endured a difficult night with 0/61 from four overs.
Connolly’s hundred kept PBKS alive, but only briefly
Punjab Kings’ chase never settled at the start. Priyansh Arya fell for 1 and Prabhsimran Singh for 3, leaving PBKS under immediate scoreboard pressure. When Shreyas Iyer also departed for 5, SRH had seized the early initiative and the asking rate was already climbing.
Cooper Connolly then produced an innings of remarkable quality to keep the contest flickering. His 107 off 59 balls, featuring 7 fours and 8 sixes, was the outstanding knock of the chase. Marcus Stoinis gave him short, sharp support with 28 off 14, and Suryansh Shedge added 25 off 17, but Punjab Kings were always trying to catch up after the early wickets.
The key problem for PBKS was that Connolly’s hundred remained a largely solitary charge. Shashank Singh made 4, Marco Jansen contributed 19, and Vijaykumar Vyshak was left on 1 as the chase closed on 202/7. For all the power in the middle overs, Punjab Kings still finished 33 runs short.
Cummins and SRH’s attack controlled the chase
Pat Cummins was named Player of the Match and his spell captured the shape of the defence. He returned 2/34 from four overs, striking early and keeping his overs under control in a high-scoring match. Nitish Kumar Reddy was especially effective too, conceding only 11 runs in his two overs while taking 1 wicket.
Shivang Kumar claimed 2/45, Eshan Malinga had 1/36, and Sakib Hussain finished with 1/40. Even though Connolly’s hundred meant there was no comfortable phase for SRH, the collective impact of the attack was enough to prevent Punjab Kings from producing one of the season’s biggest chases.
Key performers
- Heinrich Klaasen (SRH): 69 off 43 balls, with 3 fours and 4 sixes
- Ishan Kishan (SRH): 55 off 32 balls
- Abhishek Sharma (SRH): 35 off 13 balls
- Cooper Connolly (PBKS): 107 off 59 balls, with 7 fours and 8 sixes
- Pat Cummins (SRH): 2/34 in 4 overs
- Nitish Kumar Reddy (SRH): 1/11 in 2 overs
NerdSports Stat: Sunrisers Hyderabad had five batters score at a strike rate above 160, yet the Player of the Match went to Pat Cummins for a defensive spell worth just 8.5 an over in a match that produced 437 runs.
What this means in the IPL
Sunrisers Hyderabad collected another important two points in Match 49 of 70 and further strengthened their momentum in the league phase. Punjab Kings, despite Connolly’s spectacular century, missed the chance to build on earlier wins in a tightly packed tournament. The IPL now moves on quickly, with Lucknow Super Giants facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, May 7, and a long run of decisive league fixtures still to come before the playoff race takes final shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunrisers Hyderabad won the match by 33 runs.
Pat Cummins was named Player of the Match for his 2/34 in 4 overs.
This was Match 49 of 70 in the Indian Premier League, and Sunrisers Hyderabad added another win in the league phase with plenty of fixtures still to come.
Cooper Connolly top-scored with 107 off 59 balls.
The next match in the series is Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, May 7.
