Varun Chakaravarthy's spin magic ends SRH's five-match winning streak as KKR keep playoff hopes alive

Key facts

• KKR beat SRH by 7 wickets in Match 45 of IPL 2026 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, on Sunday, May 3.
• SRH were bowled out for 165 in exactly 19 overs, losing their last 9 wickets for 60 runs after being 105/1.
• Varun Chakaravarthy took 3 for 36, Sunil Narine 2 for 31, and Kartik Tyagi 2 for 30 for KKR.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi anchored the chase with 59 off 47 balls; Ajinkya Rahane made 43 off 36.
• Travis Head top-scored for SRH with 61 off 28 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes); Ishan Kishan added 42 off 29.
• Sunil Narine reached 200 IPL wickets during his spell, becoming one of the tournament's most successful overseas bowlers.
• This was the first time in IPL 2026 that SRH lost all 10 wickets in an innings and the first time KKR bowled out an opponent.
• SRH remain 3rd on the points table with 12 points; KKR moved to 8th place with 7 points from 5 wins.

A must-win clash turns on a spin-induced collapse

The Kolkata Knight Riders produced a stunning turnaround to defeat the Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets in a crucial IPL 2026 fixture on Sunday, snapping the hosts' five-match winning streak. Chasing 166, KKR reached 169 for 3 in 18.2 overs, with Angkrish Raghuvanshi's unbeaten 59 anchoring the innings. The victory kept KKR's playoff hopes alive after they entered the match in eighth place with just five points. The match flipped decisively in the middle overs of SRH's innings, when KKR's spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine triggered a catastrophic collapse. After Travis Head and Ishan Kishan had propelled SRH to 105 for 1 in the ninth over, the hosts lost nine wickets for just 60 runs to be bowled out for 165 in exactly 19 overs. It was the first time this season that SRH lost all ten wickets in an innings, and the first time KKR bowled out an opposition side.

SRH's flying start undone by Chakaravarthy and Narine

SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat on a dry afternoon surface in Uppal. Abhishek Sharma fell cheaply for 15 off 10 balls, but Travis Head immediately took the attack to the KKR pace bowlers, smashing 61 off just 28 deliveries with nine fours and three sixes. Ishan Kishan supported him with a solid 42 off 29 balls, including four fours and two sixes, as the pair added 90 runs for the second wicket. Varun Chakaravarthy broke the partnership by removing Head, then returned to claim three wickets for 36 runs, exploiting the tacky pitch to derail SRH's momentum. Sunil Narine applied relentless pressure from the other end, finishing with 2 for 31, while the fielding energy spiked with Rovman Powell's breathtaking one-handed catch in the outfield. Kartik Tyagi cleaned up the tail with 2 for 30, bowling out SRH in the 19th over.

Raghuvanshi and Rahane steer the chase after early fireworks

Chasing 165, KKR needed a solid start and got it from opener Finn Allen, who blazed 29 off 13 balls with three fours and two sixes before falling in the Powerplay. Captain Ajinkya Rahane then combined with Angkrish Raghuvanshi in a composed partnership that safely navigated the chase. Rahane played a measured 43 off 36 deliveries before being dismissed by young Sakib Hussain, who finished with 1 for 17. Raghuvanshi proved the anchor, registering a flawless 59 off 47 balls with five boundaries and two sixes, ensuring the required run rate never escalated. Although Shivang Kumar removed him for 1 for 31, the platform was perfectly laid. Rinku Singh provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 22 off 11 balls, including two fours and a six, alongside Cameron Green (3 not out) to seal the chase at 169 for 3 in 18.2 overs.

Narine reaches 200 IPL wickets; Chakaravarthy named Player of the Match

During his spell, Sunil Narine reached the milestone of 200 IPL wickets, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest overseas bowlers in the tournament's history. The veteran spinner has been a mainstay for KKR since 2012, contributing with both bat and ball across multiple title-winning campaigns. Varun Chakaravarthy was named Player of the Match for his figures of 3 for 36, which initiated the middle-order collapse and completely derailed SRH's momentum. His ability to extract turn and bounce on the tacky afternoon pitch proved decisive, exposing the fragility of SRH's batting depth.

Playoff implications: KKR keep slim hopes alive, SRH face wake-up call

The defeat snapped SRH's five-match winning streak, but they remain in a strong position at third on the points table with 12 points. Captain Pat Cummins will view the middle-order collapse as a wake-up call ahead of the business end of the tournament. SRH had been cruising at 105 for 1 before losing nine wickets for 60 runs, a pattern that could prove costly in playoff matches. For KKR, the victory provides a massive lifeline. Entering the match in eighth place with just five points, they now have seven points and must treat every remaining game as a knockout. Riding this momentum, they will need to win their upcoming fixtures to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs. The win also avenged their heavy defeat in the first leg at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

A season-defining spin performance and what lies ahead

The match underscored the growing importance of spin bowling in the IPL, particularly on surfaces that offer assistance. Chakaravarthy and Narine's combined figures of 5 for 67 from eight overs proved the difference, as SRH's batsmen failed to adapt after the Powerplay. The collapse highlighted a vulnerability that other teams may seek to exploit. KKR will now look to build on this victory, while SRH must address their batting depth before the playoffs. With both teams having several matches remaining, the result injects fresh drama into the race for the top four. For now, Chakaravarthy's spell and Raghuvanshi's composure have given KKR a fighting chance.

The bottom line

• Varun Chakaravarthy's 3 for 36 triggered SRH's collapse from 105/1 to 165 all out, earning him Player of the Match.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi's unbeaten 59 off 47 balls anchored KKR's chase, supported by Ajinkya Rahane's 43.
• Sunil Narine reached 200 IPL wickets during the match, becoming the first overseas bowler to achieve the milestone.
• SRH lost all 10 wickets in an innings for the first time in IPL 2026, and KKR bowled out an opponent for the first time this season.
• KKR's win keeps their playoff hopes alive; they moved to 7 points, while SRH remain 3rd with 12 points.
• The match was played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Sunday, May 3, 2026.