In a high-scoring contest at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) jumped to the top of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) points table with a clinical 33-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS). After aggressive half-centuries, mixed with some luck courtesy of crucial dropped catches, from Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan propelled SRH to a daunting 235/4, a disciplined bowling performance led by skipper Pat Cummins ensured victory for SRH despite Cooper Connolly’s sensational maiden IPL century for PBKS.

After losing the toss, the SRH openers came out with clear intent on a true Hyderabad surface. Abhishek Sharma (35 off 13) and Travis Head (38 off 19) unleashed a relentless assault from the first over, racing to a 54-run opening stand in just 3.2 overs. While Lockie Ferguson provided the initial breakthrough for PBKS by dismissing Abhishek, Head continued the charge to guide SRH to a massive 79/1 by the end of the powerplay.

 

 

 

 

 

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The momentum showed no signs of slowing down even after Yuzvendra Chahal removed Head. Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen took full advantage of a lapse in the visitors' fielding, as multiple chances were put down by Connolly, Shashank Singh and Ferguson, respectively, with two of those drops coming off Chahal’s bowling.

 

 

 

 

 

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Ishan Kishan played a swift knock, reaching his half-century in just 31 deliveries, punctuated by a hat-trick of sixes off Vijaykumar Vyshak. Alongside him, Heinrich Klaasen continued his purple patch, finding the boundary at will. The duo stitched together a brisk 88-run partnership for the third wicket that nullified PBKS’ bowling plans. 

After Kishan fell for 55 to Arshdeep Singh, Klaasen (69* off 43) found an able partner in Nitish Kumar Reddy (29* off 13). The pair added a further 63 runs in the final five overs, launching a late-innings explosion that saw SRH surge past the 230-mark.

 

 

 

 

 

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Chahal was the pick of the bowlers for Punjab, returning figures of 1/32 on a day where most struggled. 

Chasing a mountain of 236, PBKS’ pursuit was rocked in the opening overs. A couple of superb catches from Eshan Malinga and skipper Pat Cummins saw PBKS lose both openers early, before Cummins took his second wicket in quick time to dismiss his opposite number Shreyas Iyer for just five and leave PBKS reeling at 23/3 in the 4th over.

#SRH showing 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 🫡

🎥 Pat Cummins and Ishan Kishan upping their catching game at key moments 👏

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/8L0gAuxW78#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #SRHvPBKS | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/RK0PNHsBfh

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 6, 2026

However, young Australian sensation Connolly refused to back down. Displaying remarkable composure, Connolly struck a defiant maiden T20 century, reaching the milestone in just 57 balls. He found brief support from Marcus Stoinis (28) and Suryansh Shedge (25), but the regular fall of wickets at the other end meant the required rate remained out of reach.

Cummins led his bowling group with precision, picking up 2/34 and utilizing Eshan Malinga’s pace to stifle the middle order. Meanwhile, young spinner Shivang Kumar continued to impress this season with figures of 2/45 on the night. Despite Connolly’s unbeaten 107, which featured seven boundaries and eight sixes, the scoreboard pressure proved too much.

That special feeling ft. Cooper Connolly 🥳

An emphatic way to reach his maiden #TATAIPL hundred 💯

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/8L0gAuxW78#KhelBindaas | #SRHvPBKS pic.twitter.com/rdMmmWQzln

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 6, 2026

Punjab Kings eventually finished at 202/7, as Sunrisers Hyderabad secured two vital points to move to the top of the points table. For Cummins' men, it was a near-perfect performance that highlighted their depth in both departments, while Punjab Kings will rue their missed opportunities in the field. PBKS will host Delhi Capitals next in their first home game in Dharamshala, while SRH will take on Gujarat Titans next in Ahmedabad.