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

Key facts

• KKR won by seven wickets with 1.4 overs to spare.
• Varun Chakaravarthy took 3 for 36 and was named Player of the Match.
• Travis Head scored 61 off 28 balls for SRH.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi anchored the chase with 59 off 47 deliveries.
• SRH lost 9 wickets for 60 runs after being 105 for 1.
• Sunil Narine reached 200 IPL wickets during the match.
• This was the first time in IPL 2026 that SRH lost all 10 wickets in an innings.

A match of two halves at Uppal

On a dry afternoon at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision appeared vindicated as Travis Head launched a brutal assault on the Kolkata Knight Riders pace attack, smashing 61 off just 28 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Ishan Kishan supported with a fluent 42 off 29 deliveries, and at 105 for 1 in the ninth over, the hosts were cruising towards a total well beyond 200. Then the match flipped entirely. KKR's spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine exploited the tacky surface to devastating effect. Chakaravarthy broke the back of the SRH lineup, returning 3 for 36, while Narine applied relentless pressure from the other end with 2 for 31. The fielding energy spiked, highlighted by a breathtaking one-handed catch from Rovman Powell in the outfield. SRH suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing nine wickets for just 60 runs, and were bowled out for 165 in exactly 19 overs.

KKR's composed chase built on Raghuvanshi's anchor knock

Chasing 166, KKR needed a strong start and got it from opener Finn Allen, who blazed 29 off 13 balls in the Powerplay. After Allen's dismissal, captain Ajinkya Rahane and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi constructed a composed partnership of 84 runs. Rahane played a measured 43 off 36 deliveries before falling to 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. Although Shivang Kumar eventually removed him for 1 for 31, the platform was perfectly laid. Rinku Singh provided the finishing touches, smoking 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.

Chakaravarthy and Rahane reflect on the turnaround

Varun Chakaravarthy, who took a blow on the leg during his spell, said it was mere impact pain and expressed confidence he would be fully fit within three days. Reflecting on his resurgence, he explained that spinners naturally struggle on flat wickets early in the season but find rhythm as surfaces wear. His plan against Travis Head was to cramp him for room and prevent him from extending his arms. Chakaravarthy praised the batting unit for a clinical finish and highlighted a surge of positive energy within the squad, believing that if KKR maintains consistency, they are poised to make a serious impact. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane called it a very good game and praised the team's fightback with the ball. He felt that a total of 190-200 would have been challenging to chase on that surface. Rahane credited the spinners for consistently picking up wickets, adding that this is what the format demands. He also highlighted the collective effort of the bowling unit and made special mention of support staff Dwayne Bravo and Tim Southee. Rahane noted that the team had two or three practice sessions during the break and that for him, staying mentally fresh is key. He said the atmosphere remained calm even during the phase when they lost their first five matches.

Milestones and historical firsts

Sunil Narine reached the monumental milestone of 200 IPL wickets during his spell, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest overseas bowlers in the tournament's history. The match also marked a season first: SRH lost all 10 wickets in an innings for the first time in IPL 2026, and KKR bowled out an opposition for the first time this season. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who was named Player of the Match for his anchoring knock, said he was happy to help the side win but acknowledged he still has a lot to work on, as his coach was not entirely happy with the way he got out. He credited Rahane and Allen for setting the platform and said the skipper helped him a lot in building the innings. Raghuvanshi concluded by saying it was his dream to play at this level, and that's why he will always have a smile on his face.

Implications for the points table and the road ahead

This was a must-win game for KKR. Entering the match in eighth place with just five points, the victory gives them a massive lifeline. To make the playoffs, they will need to ride this momentum and treat every upcoming game as a knockout. For SRH, the defeat snaps their brilliant five-match winning streak, but they remain in a strong position, sitting third on the points table with 12 points. Pat Cummins said the first eight to ten overs were excellent and they did well against the matchups, but they just couldn't get the act right in the rest of the contest. He added that the deck wasn't the best to have a go on, but from the position they were in, they should have got at least 180-190. Cummins felt that their batting cost them the game. SRH will treat this defeat as a minor blip and quickly move on. They remain at home and will face the Punjab Kings on Wednesday, May 6. KKR, brimming with confidence after three wins on the bounce, will travel to the capital to take on the Delhi Capitals on Friday, May 8.

The bottom line

• Varun Chakaravarthy's 3 for 36 triggered SRH's collapse from 105/1 to 165 all out.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi's unbeaten 59 anchored KKR's chase of 166 with 1.4 overs to spare.
• Sunil Narine reached 200 IPL wickets, becoming one of the tournament's greatest overseas bowlers.
• SRH lost all 10 wickets in an innings for the first time in IPL 2026.
• KKR climbed from eighth place to keep playoff hopes alive with three consecutive wins.
• SRH remain third with 12 points but face a wake-up call ahead of the business end of the tournament.