Varun Chakaravarthy's spin masterclass ends Sunrisers Hyderabad's five-match winning streak

Key facts

• KKR won by 7 wickets with 1.4 overs to spare.
• SRH were bowled out for 165 in 19 overs after being 105/1.
• Varun Chakaravarthy took 3 for 36 and won Player of the Match.
• Sunil Narine took 2 for 31 and reached 200 IPL wickets.
• Travis Head scored 61 off 28 balls for SRH.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi anchored the chase with 59 off 47.
• KKR moved to 7 points; SRH remained 3rd with 12 points.
• Match played on May 3 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.

Lede: A dramatic reversal in Hyderabad

Kolkata Knight Riders pulled off a remarkable comeback victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, winning by seven wickets after their spinners engineered a stunning collapse that derailed the hosts' charge. The result snapped SRH's five-match winning streak and breathed new life into KKR's faltering playoff campaign. Chasing a modest 166, KKR reached 169 for 3 in 18.2 overs, with Angkrish Raghuvanshi's composed half-century and Rinku Singh's late fireworks sealing the win. The match, played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, was a must-win for KKR, who entered the contest in eighth place with just five points.

SRH's flying start and sudden collapse

Sunrisers captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first on a dry afternoon surface. Travis Head immediately took the attack to the KKR pace bowlers, smashing 61 off 28 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Ishan Kishan supported with 42 off 29, and at 105 for 1 in the ninth over, SRH seemed poised for a total well above 200. But the innings unravelled dramatically after the Powerplay. Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy broke the partnership, and Sunil Narine applied relentless pressure from the other end. SRH lost nine wickets for just 60 runs, with Kartik Tyagi cleaning up the tail to bowl them out for 165 in exactly 19 overs. It was the first time in IPL 2026 that SRH lost all ten wickets in an innings.

Chakaravarthy and Narine lead the spin assault

Varun Chakaravarthy returned match-winning figures of 3 for 36, exploiting the tacky pitch to dismantle the SRH middle order. Sunil Narine, who conceded just 31 runs in his four overs while taking two wickets, also reached a personal milestone: his 200th IPL wicket, cementing his status as one of the tournament's most successful overseas bowlers. Chakaravarthy later said the plan was to cramp Head for room and prevent him from extending his arms. He praised the batting unit for a clinical finish and highlighted a surge of positive energy within the squad, expressing confidence that KKR could make a serious impact if they maintain consistency.

KKR's chase anchored by Raghuvanshi and Rahane

Chasing 166, KKR needed a strong start and got it from opener Finn Allen, who blazed 29 off 13 balls in the Powerplay. After his dismissal, captain Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi constructed a composed 84-run partnership. Rahane scored 43 off 36 before falling to debutant Sakib Hussain, but Raghuvanshi held firm, registering a flawless 59 off 47 deliveries with five boundaries and two sixes. Raghuvanshi said he was happy to help the side win but acknowledged he still had work to do, noting that his coach was not pleased with how he got out. He credited Rahane and Allen for making his job easier and said he was simply enjoying every outing at this level.

Playoff implications and the road ahead

The victory gave KKR a massive lifeline in the playoff race. Entering the match in eighth place with just five points, they now have three consecutive wins and will need to treat every remaining game as a knockout. Their next fixture is against Delhi Capitals in the capital on Friday, May 8. For SRH, the defeat snapped a five-match winning streak but they remain in third place with 12 points. Captain Pat Cummins acknowledged that the batting had cost them the game, saying that from the position they were in, they should have reached at least 180-190. SRH will look to rebound when they face Punjab Kings at home on Wednesday, May 6.

A turning point in the season

The match was a tale of two halves: SRH's top order dominance followed by a catastrophic collapse, and KKR's disciplined bowling and composed chase. The short-ball plan after the second timeout delayed the inevitable for SRH, but they simply did not put enough runs on the board despite a strong platform. KKR's win was particularly pleasing given the character they showed with the ball to pull things back when SRH looked set to run away with it, and the composure they displayed to complete the chase. As the tournament enters its business end, this result could prove to be a pivotal moment for both teams.

The bottom line

• Varun Chakaravarthy's 3/36 triggered a collapse that saw SRH lose 9 wickets for 60 runs.
• Sunil Narine reached 200 IPL wickets during his spell of 2/31.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi's 59 off 47 anchored KKR's chase of 166.
• KKR snapped SRH's five-match winning streak and kept playoff hopes alive.
• SRH were bowled out for the first time in IPL 2026.
• KKR have won three consecutive matches after losing their first five.