IPL 2026: Ajinkya Rahane Credits Bowlers After KKR’s Dominant Win Over SRH

A Tactical Masterclass in Hyderabad

In a high-stakes encounter during match number 45 of the IPL 2026, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) delivered a resounding performance to defeat the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Coming off a previous loss at the Eden Gardens, this reverse fixture was all about redemption for Ajinkya Rahane’s men, who executed their game plan to perfection to clinch a 7-wicket victory.

The SRH Start and the Middle-Over Collapse

Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and elected to bat first, seeking to set a daunting total. The home side introduced changes, bringing in Harshal Patel and Smaran Ravichandran, while KKR opted for fresh legs with Finn Allen and Manish Pandey. The start for SRH was explosive, with Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head putting the KKR bowlers under immediate pressure. Although Kartik Tyagi dismissed Sharma for 15, Travis Head continued his aggressive onslaught, racing to 61 off just 28 deliveries.

With Ishan Kishan anchoring the other end, SRH looked poised to post a total well north of 190. However, the game shifted dramatically once the KKR spinners entered the fray. Varun Chakravarthy proved to be the catalyst, bowling a masterful spell in his final two overs where he conceded only 7 runs while claiming three crucial wickets. Sunil Narine complemented the pressure brilliantly, removing the dangerous Ishan Kishan (42) and keeping the scoring rate in check.

The SRH batting lineup subsequently suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing 8 wickets for a mere 60 runs. For the first time in this IPL season, KKR managed to bundle out their opponents, restricting SRH to a total of 165.

The Clinical Run Chase

Chasing 166, the Kolkata Knight Riders came out with clear intent. Finn Allen provided the necessary momentum in the power play, scoring a blistering 29 off 13 balls, which included a fierce assault on Pat Cummins where he smashed 22 runs in a single over. Following the brisk start, Ajinkya Rahane and the talented Angkrish Raghuvanshi stabilized the innings with a 50-run partnership in just 32 balls.

Raghuvanshi displayed exceptional maturity, bringing up his fifty in 39 deliveries. Although both Rahane (43) and Raghuvanshi (59) eventually fell while trying to accelerate, Rinku Singh provided the finishing touch. His cameo of 22 off 11 balls ensured KKR crossed the finish line with 10 balls to spare, securing a hat-trick of wins.

Rahane’s Praise for the Bowling Unit

Speaking after the dominant win, skipper Ajinkya Rahane was quick to shift the spotlight to his bowlers. “Very good game. The way we came back with the ball. Looked like they will get 190-200. It was a good wicket to bat on. Credit to our bowling unit, especially the spinners. They kept taking wickets,” Rahane remarked.

The captain emphasized the importance of planning and the role of the support staff. “The bowling unit has been doing really well for the last 5-6 games. Credit to our bowling coaches – Bravo and Southee. During practice sessions, there is a lot of talking, lot of planning, different oppositions, and different grounds. It is all about planning and executing.”

Looking ahead, Rahane noted that maintaining a clear head is vital for the team’s ongoing success. “Here and there you will go for runs, but as long as you are clear in your head, that is important. That win was important going into the break. It is all about being mentally fresh.” With this victory, KKR has signaled their intent to remain a formidable force as the tournament progresses toward the playoffs.