Watch: SRH dominate powerplay with 84 runs vs KKR in IPL 2026 clash

Sunrisers Hyderabad made a brilliant start against Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2026 match. They attacked from the very first over and put the KKR bowlers under pressure. The openers played with full confidence and controlled the game early.

After being asked to bat, SRH put up a big total. Heinrich Klaasen scored a strong half-century, while Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma played fast and attacking innings. SRH scored 226 for 8 in 20 overs, which is the highest total of IPL 2026 so far. KKR now had a tough target of 227 to chase in Kolkata.

Head and Abhishek did not waste time. They played attacking shots from the start. Head scored 46 runs off 21 balls, and Abhishek scored 48 runs off 21 balls. Together, they added 82 runs in the powerplay and took SRH to 84 for 1 in just six overs.

Watch how SRH batters punished the KKR bowlers at Eden Gardens:

SRH batters go berserk in powerplay against KKR bowlers

Batting first, Sunrisers Hyderabad made a commanding start through openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who raced to 22 without loss in the first two overs. The momentum surged further in the third over, bowled by Vaibhav Arora, where the duo collected 21 runs to take the score to 43/0 in just three overs.

The onslaught continued in the fifth over as Abhishek launched a fierce attack on spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, plundering 25 runs — equalling the most the bowler has conceded in a single over in T20 cricket. By the end of five overs, SRH had surged to 71/0, firmly placing the Kolkata Knight Riders on the back foot.

The breakthrough finally came in the following over when Kartik Tyagi dismissed Head for a blistering 46 off 21 deliveries, ending a rapid 82-run opening stand. Despite the wicket, SRH finished the powerplay at a formidable 84/1. At a venue like Eden Gardens—where the scoring rate since 2023 has been an impressive 9.95 runs per over—the aggressive approach from Head and Abhishek not only reflected the conditions but also contributed to that trend.

See also -Watch: Heinrich Klaasen smashes outrageous reverse-bat six vs KKR in IPL 2026 clash

How SRH’s aggressive start put KKR under pressure early

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s aggressive start put Kolkata Knight Riders under early pressure, as openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma attacked from the beginning and did not allow the bowlers to settle. The fast scoring in the powerplay forced KKR to change their plans, and their bowlers struggled to control their line and length.

According to several cricket experts, this was SRH’s third-highest powerplay score while setting a target in IPL history. Their best remains 124/0 against Delhi Capitals in 2024, followed by 94/1 against Rajasthan Royals in 2025. After seven overs in this match, SRH had already reached 98/1, showing their strong start.

In the ninth over, fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani brought some relief for KKR by taking two wickets. He first dismissed captain Ishan Kishan for 14 runs off nine balls, and then removed Abhishek Sharma, who scored 48 off 21 balls with four sixes and four fours.

Fans react to SRH’s explosive powerplay in IPL 2026

Fans were thrilled by Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive powerplay in IPL 2026, taking to social media to celebrate the fearless batting of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Many praised the openers for their aggressive approach, calling it “spectacular” and “a perfect start for SRH.”

Here is how the netizens reacted: