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

Key facts

• KKR won by 7 wickets with 1.4 overs to spare.
• Varun Chakaravarthy took 3 for 36 and won Player of the Match.
• Sunil Narine claimed 2 for 31 and reached 200 IPL wickets.
• Travis Head scored 61 off 28 balls for SRH.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi anchored KKR's chase with 59 off 47 balls.
• SRH lost 9 wickets for 60 runs after being 105 for 1.
• This was the first time in IPL 2026 that SRH were bowled out.
• KKR moved to 8th place with 5 points; SRH remain 3rd with 12 points.

A tale of two halves at Uppal

The Kolkata Knight Riders pulled off a remarkable seven-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday, ending the home side's five-match winning streak in the Indian Premier League. Chasing 166, KKR reached 169 for 3 in 18.2 overs, snapping SRH's momentum in a match that swung dramatically after the halfway point of the first innings. The contest unfolded on a typically dry afternoon surface in Uppal, where SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision appeared justified as Travis Head launched a ferocious assault on the KKR pace attack, smashing 61 off just 28 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Ishan Kishan provided solid support with 42 off 29 deliveries, and at 105 for 1 in the ninth over, the hosts were cruising towards a total well above 200.

Chakaravarthy and Narine engineer a collapse

The match flipped entirely in the middle overs as KKR's spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine seized control. Chakaravarthy exploited the tacky pitch to return match-winning figures of 3 for 36, breaking the backbone of SRH's lineup. Narine applied relentless pressure from the other end, finishing with 2 for 31, while the fielding energy spiked dramatically, highlighted by Rovman Powell's breathtaking one-handed screamer in the outfield. Following the departures of Head and Kishan, 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. This marked the first time in IPL 2026 that SRH lost all 10 wickets in an innings, and the first time KKR bowled out an opposition this season.

Raghuvanshi anchors the chase

Defending 165, SRH needed early breakthroughs, but KKR opener Finn Allen immediately put the hosts on the back foot with a rapid 29 off 13 balls in the Powerplay. After Allen's dismissal, captain Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi constructed a composed 84-run partnership that safely navigated the chase. Rahane played a measured knock of 43 off 36 deliveries before falling to 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. Although Shivang Kumar eventually 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's 3 not out, sealing the chase with 1.4 overs to spare.

Milestone for Narine and praise for Chakaravarthy

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. Varun Chakaravarthy, who claimed the Player of the Match award for his 3 for 36, reflected on his resurgence, explaining that spinners naturally struggle on flat wickets early in the season but find rhythm as surfaces wear. He noted that the plan was to cramp Travis Head 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. He expressed confidence that if KKR maintains this consistency, they are poised to make a serious impact in the competition. He also confirmed that the blow he took on the leg was mere impact pain and that he expects to be fully fit within three days.

Rahane credits team fightback and support staff

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane called it a very good game and praised the way his team fought back 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 highlighted the bowling unit's collective performance and gave special mention to the support staff, including Dwayne Bravo and Tim Southee. Rahane noted that the previous win against Lucknow Super Giants was important heading into the break, and that the team had two to three practice sessions during the break. For him, it is all about staying mentally fresh. He emphasized that the support staff have been doing a great job, and even during the phase when KKR lost their first five matches, the atmosphere in the camp remained calm. Rahane expressed happiness for Chakaravarthy, highlighting his confidence, work ethic, and attitude, and praised him for consistently taking on tough overs.

Cummins rues batting failure after strong start

SRH captain Pat Cummins acknowledged that the first 8-10 overs were excellent and that his team did well against the matchups, but they just could not get the act right in the rest of the contest. He added that the deck was not the best to have a go on, but from the position they were in, they should have reached at least 180-190. Cummins admitted that their batting cost them the game, but said such things happen. Despite the defeat snapping their five-match winning streak, SRH remain in a strong position, sitting third on the points table with 12 points. Cummins and his side will view this middle-order collapse as a wake-up call to address before the business end of the tournament. The short-ball plan after the second timeout helped delay the inevitable, but they simply did not put enough runs on the board despite having a strong platform.

Playoff implications and upcoming fixtures

This was a must-win game for KKR, who entered the match in eighth place with just five points. The victory gives them a massive lifeline, and if they are to make the playoffs, they will need to ride this momentum and treat every upcoming game as a knockout. KKR have now won three matches in a row, and the win will particularly please them given the character they showed with the ball to pull things back and the composure they displayed to complete the chase. SRH will want to treat this defeat as a minor blip and quickly move on. They remain at home and will now turn their focus to their next challenge, as they prepare to face the Punjab Kings on Wednesday, 6 May. As for KKR, they will head into their next fixture brimming with confidence after three wins on the bounce. A trip to the capital awaits, where they will take on the Delhi Capitals on Friday, 8 May.

The bottom line

• Varun Chakaravarthy's 3 for 36 and Sunil Narine's 2 for 31 triggered SRH's collapse from 105 for 1 to 165 all out.
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi's unbeaten 59 anchored KKR's chase, supported by Ajinkya Rahane's 43 and Finn Allen's quick 29.
• Sunil Narine reached 200 IPL wickets, becoming one of the tournament's greatest overseas bowlers.
• SRH lost all 10 wickets for the first time in IPL 2026, while KKR bowled out an opposition for the first time this season.
• KKR's third consecutive win keeps their playoff hopes alive; SRH remain third with 12 points despite the defeat.
• KKR face Delhi Capitals on 8 May; SRH take on Punjab Kings on 6 May.