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

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 for 1 in the 9th over.
• Varun Chakaravarthy took 3 for 36 and was named Player of the Match.
• Sunil Narine reached 200 IPL wickets during his spell of 2 for 31.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi scored an unbeaten 59 off 47 balls.
• Travis Head top-scored for SRH with 61 off 28 balls.
• This was the first time in IPL 2026 that SRH lost all 10 wickets.
• KKR moved to 5th place with 7 points; SRH remain 3rd with 12 points.

A match of two halves at Uppal

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad witnessed a dramatic reversal of fortunes on Sunday afternoon as the Kolkata Knight Riders snapped Sunrisers Hyderabad's five-match winning streak with a commanding seven-wicket victory. The win, achieved with 1.4 overs to spare, breathed new life into KKR's faltering playoff campaign. SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry pitch that promised runs. The decision appeared vindicated as Travis Head launched a ferocious assault on the KKR pace attack, racing to 61 off just 28 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Ishan Kishan provided solid support with 42 off 29, and at 105 for 1 in the ninth over, a total of 200 plus seemed well within reach. But the match turned decisively when KKR's spinners took charge. Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy exploited the tacky surface to claim 3 for 36, while veteran Sunil Narine applied relentless pressure from the other end, finishing with 2 for 31. The fielding energy spiked, highlighted by Rovman Powell's breathtaking one-handed screamer in the outfield.

The collapse that defined the innings

After Head and Kishan departed, SRH suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing nine wickets for just 60 runs. Kartik Tyagi cleaned up the tail with 2 for 30, bowling out SRH for 165 in exactly 19 overs. It was the first time in IPL 2026 that Sunrisers Hyderabad lost all ten wickets in an innings, and the first time Kolkata Knight Riders bowled out an opposition this season. Cummins acknowledged the batting failure: "The first 8-10 overs were excellent, and we did well against the matchups, but we just couldn't get the act right in the rest of the contest. The deck wasn't the best to have a go on, but from the position we were in, we should have got at least 180-190." He added that the batting cost them the game, but such things happen.

Raghuvanshi and Rahane anchor the chase

Chasing 166, KKR needed early momentum, and opener Finn Allen provided it with a rapid 29 off 13 balls in the Powerplay. After his dismissal, captain Ajinkya Rahane and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi constructed a composed partnership that safely navigated the chase. Rahane played a measured 43 off 36 before falling to debutant Sakib Hussain (1 for 17). Raghuvanshi, however, proved the anchor, registering a flawless 59 off 47 deliveries with five boundaries and two sixes. "I am really happy that I have helped the side win a contest," Raghuvanshi said after the match. "Rahane and Allen started well, and that is what made life easy for me as I walked out to bat. The skipper helped me a lot in building the innings." He added that he still has a lot to work on, as his coach was not happy with the way he got out.

Varun Chakaravarthy: the architect of victory

Varun Chakaravarthy was awarded Player of the Match for his spell of 3 for 36, which initiated the middle-order collapse and derailed SRH's momentum. Speaking after the match, Varun said the blow he took on the leg was mere impact pain and expressed confidence he would be fully fit within three days. Reflecting on his resurgence, Varun explained that spinners naturally struggle on flat wickets early in the season but find their rhythm as surfaces wear. He noted that the plan was to cramp Travis Head for room and prevent him from extending his arms. Varun 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.

Narine reaches 200 IPL wickets

During his spell, Sunil Narine reached the monumental milestone of 200 TATA IPL wickets, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest overseas bowlers in the tournament's history. KKR captain Ajinkya 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 gave special mention to support staff Dwayne Bravo and Tim Southee. Rahane called it a very good game and praised the way the team fought back with the ball. He felt that a total of 190-200 would have been challenging to chase on this surface. The captain noted that the previous win against LSG was important heading into the break, and the team had 2-3 practice sessions during the break, focusing on staying mentally fresh.

What lies ahead for both teams

This was a must-win game for KKR, who entered the match in 8th place with just 5 points. The victory gives them a massive lifeline, and they will need to ride this momentum, treating every upcoming game as a knockout. They next face Delhi Capitals in the capital on Friday, 8th May. For SRH, the defeat snaps their five-match winning streak, but they remain in a strong position, sitting 3rd on the points table with 12 points. Cummins and his side will view this middle-order collapse as a wake-up call ahead of the business end of the tournament. SRH stay at home and will face Punjab Kings on Wednesday, 6th May.

A statement of intent from KKR

The victory was KKR's third in a row, a run that has revived their campaign after losing their first five matches. The composure shown in the chase, coupled with the character displayed with the ball to pull things back when SRH looked set to run away, signals a team finding its rhythm at the right time. Rahane noted that even during the phase of five consecutive losses, the atmosphere in the camp remained calm. Rinku Singh provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 22 off 11 balls, sealing the chase with a boundary off Eshan Malinga. The win not only keeps KKR's playoff hopes alive but also serves notice that they are capable of beating any side when their key players fire in unison.

The bottom line

• Varun Chakaravarthy's 3 for 36 triggered a SRH collapse from 105/1 to 165 all out.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi's unbeaten 59 anchored KKR's chase of 166.
• Sunil Narine reached 200 IPL wickets during the match.
• KKR won their third consecutive match after losing their first five.
• SRH remain 3rd in the points table despite the defeat.
• KKR's playoff hopes are alive as they head to face Delhi Capitals next.