Lucknow/Patiala, 24 May (Sports desk)
On May 23, 2025, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) delivered a commanding 42-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 65th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Anchored by Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 94 and a disciplined bowling performance led by Pat Cummins and Eshan Malinga, SRH, despite being out of playoff contention, handed RCB a significant setback in their quest for a top-two finish.
Match Summary
- Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Date: May 23, 2025
- Toss: RCB won the toss and elected to field
- Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 42 runs
- Player of the Match: Ishan Kishan (94* off 48 balls)
- Final Score:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: 231/6 (20 overs)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 189 (19.5 overs)
First Innings: SRH’s Explosive Batting
SRH, batting first after RCB opted to field, posted a formidable 231/6, driven by aggressive top-order contributions and a late surge from Ishan Kishan. The black-soil pitch offered true bounce and pace, which SRH capitalized on effectively.
- Ishan Kishan’s Anchor Role: Kishan played a match-defining knock of 94* off 48 balls, scoring 54 of SRH’s last 86 runs as wickets fell around him. His innings provided stability while maintaining an aggressive tempo, guiding SRH to a competitive total.
- Abhishek Sharma’s Blitz: Abhishek set the tone with a fiery 34 off 17 balls, smashing three sixes before falling to Romario Shepherd while attempting another.
- Travis Head’s Contribution: Head chipped in with 17 off 10 balls but was dismissed by a Bhuvneshwar Kumar knuckleball in the powerplay.
- Heinrich Klaasen’s Cameo: Klaasen smashed 24 off 13 balls, capitalizing on loose deliveries from Suyash Sharma before miscuing a shot.
- RCB’s Bowling Struggles: RCB’s bowlers struggled to contain SRH’s aggression. Romario Shepherd (2/14) was the standout, while Krunal Pandya took 1/38. The rest of the attack, including Suyash Sharma, was expensive, with SRH exploiting the shorter boundaries (61m and 67m square, 70m straight). watch……Virat Kohli: The IPL Century King
Second Innings: RCB’s Collapse
Chasing 232, RCB needed a strong start from their star-studded batting lineup, including Phil Salt and Virat Kohli. While they kept pace for 14 overs, a dramatic collapse sealed their fate.
- Early Promise: RCB’s chase began brightly, with Phil Salt (62 off 32, 4 fours, 5 sixes) and Virat Kohli (43 off 25) powering them to 72/0 in the powerplay. Each of the first 14 overs featured at least one boundary, keeping RCB on track.
- Turning Point: The momentum shifted in the 15th over when Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled a tight over, conceding no boundaries. Eshan Malinga then triggered a collapse by dismissing Romario Shepherd (golden duck) and running out Rajat Patidar, who was only fit to bat due to injury.
- Collapse of 7 for 16: RCB lost their last seven wickets for just 16 runs in the final 25 balls, crumbling from 167/3 to 189 all out. Key wickets included Salt (caught by Harshal Patel), Jitesh Sharma (24, dismissed by Malinga), and Tim David, who struggled with an injury.
- SRH’s Bowling Heroes: Pat Cummins led with 3/28, while Eshan Malinga’s yorkers and slower balls yielded 2/37, including crucial wickets. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s dismissal of Mayank Agarwal (11 off 10) and Harshal Patel’s final blow to Yash Dayal (3 off 6, caught by Aniket Verma) sealed the victory.
- Final Blow: Harshal Patel wrapped up the innings with a slower bouncer, dismissing Yash Dayal at deep backward square leg, ensuring SRH’s 42-run win.
Key Moments
- Abhishek’s Powerplay Assault: Abhishek’s 34 off 17 set an aggressive tone, with three sixes in the powerplay.
- Kishan’s Late Surge: Kishan’s unbeaten 94, including 54 runs in the final overs, was pivotal in pushing SRH to 231.
- Malinga’s Double-Strike: Eshan Malinga’s 16th over, removing Shepherd and running out Patidar, turned the game decisively in SRH’s favor.
- RCB’s Collapse: Losing 7 wickets for 16 runs in the last 25 balls was a game-changer, with SRH’s bowlers executing yorkers and slower balls perfectly.
- Salt’s Dismissal: Pat Cummins dismissing Phil Salt in the 11th over halted RCB’s momentum, despite Jitesh Sharma’s six off the next ball.
Pitch and Conditions
The black-soil pitch at Ekana Cricket Stadium offered true bounce and pace, favoring batsmen but also assisting bowlers who varied their pace. SRH’s strategy of bowling shorter lengths (75% of deliveries under 8m in the first five overs) and using slower balls paid dividends, especially in the death overs. The short boundaries encouraged aggressive batting, but SRH’s bowlers adapted better than RCB’s.
Impact on IPL 2025 Standings
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: Already eliminated from playoff contention, SRH’s second consecutive win showcased their potential for 2026. The performances of Kishan, Abhishek, and Klaasen highlighted their batting depth, while Cummins and Malinga bolstered their bowling.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: The loss was RCB’s first away defeat of the season, dropping their net run rate below Punjab Kings’ and jeopardizing their top-two finish hopes. With one league match remaining against Lucknow Super Giants, RCB must win and rely on favorable results from Gujarat Titans or Punjab Kings.
Player Performances
- Sunrisers Hyderabad:
- Ishan Kishan: 94* (48 balls), Player of the Match
- Abhishek Sharma: 34 (17 balls, 3 sixes)
- Heinrich Klaasen: 24 (13 balls)
- Pat Cummins: 3/28
- Eshan Malinga: 2/37
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
- Phil Salt: 62 (32 balls, 4 fours, 5 sixes)
- Virat Kohli: 43 (25 balls)
- Jitesh Sharma: 24
- Romario Shepherd: 2/14 (bowling)
Post-Match Reactions
- Ishan Kishan (Player of the Match): “When Abhishek and Head started so well, I knew it was a great track. My plan was simple—watch the ball and play good shots. I could’ve done better, but it’s a learning game.”
- Pat Cummins (SRH Captain): “It felt like a long season, but we put in a good effort with bat and ball. Nitish is back bowling, which is great for us.”
- Jitesh Sharma (RCB Stand-in Captain): “We were 20-30 runs short. Our intensity was lacking, and we were rusty. This loss is a good wake-up call; we’ll bounce back in the next game.”
- Sentiment on X: Fans expressed disappointment with RCB’s collapse, with posts highlighting SRH’s dominance and Cummins’ leadership. Some praised Kishan’s knock, while others criticized RCB’s middle-order frailties.
Conclusion
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 42-run victory was a testament to their aggressive batting and strategic bowling, with Ishan Kishan’s 94* and Eshan Malinga’s game-changing overs proving decisive. RCB’s collapse of 7 for 16 in the final 25 balls exposed their middle-order vulnerabilities, significantly denting their playoff aspirations. Despite the loss, RCB’s strong away record (6 wins in 7 games before this match) keeps them in contention, but they face a must-win scenario in their final league game. SRH, meanwhile, demonstrated their potential to be a formidable force in future seasons
