Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 33 runs in Match 49 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Wednesday. After being asked to bat first, SRH piled up a gigantic total of 235/4 in 20 overs before restricting PBKS to 202/7 despite a sensational century from Cooper Connolly.
The victory was built on a fearless batting display from the Hyderabad top order, with Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan leading the charge in front of an energetic home crowd. Punjab Kings bowlers struggled badly throughout the innings as SRH continued their aggressive approach from the powerplay till the death overs.
Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan guide Sunrisers Hyderabad to massive total
Sunrisers got off to a flying start thanks to Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. Abhishek smashed 35 runs off just 13 deliveries, hammering four sixes and two boundaries to put immediate pressure on the PBKS attack. Head continued the momentum with a fiery 38 off 19 balls, striking three fours and three sixes.
After the early assault, Kishan took charge in the middle overs with a well-constructed 55 off 32 deliveries. The left-hander mixed timing with innovation and kept the scoreboard moving at a rapid pace. Klaasen then delivered another brutal innings for SRH, scoring 69 off 43 balls with the help of four sixes and three boundaries. Nitish Kumar Reddy provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 29 off only 13 deliveries as Hyderabad crossed the 230-run mark comfortably.
Punjab Kings had no answers with the ball. Yuzvendra Chahal was the most economical among the frontline bowlers and picked up one wicket for 32 runs in his four overs. Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson also managed one wicket each, but Marco Jansen endured a difficult outing, conceding 61 runs in his spell.
Cooper Connolly’s stunning century goes in vain for Punjab Kings
Chasing a mammoth target of 236, Punjab Kings suffered an early collapse as Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh departed cheaply inside the powerplay. Captain Shreyas Iyer also failed to make an impact, leaving PBKS under massive pressure early in the chase.
However, Connolly produced a sensational counterattack to keep Punjab alive in the contest. The Australian all-rounder smashed a magnificent 107 off 59 balls, laced with seven fours and eight towering sixes. Connolly attacked almost every SRH bowler and briefly threatened to pull off a miraculous chase.
Marcus Stoinis also played a useful cameo of 28 off 14 balls, while Suryansh Shedge added 25 runs in the middle overs. But the required run rate kept climbing, and the lack of support for Connolly eventually hurt Punjab badly.
Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers remained composed despite Connolly’s assault. Pat Cummins led from the front with figures of 2/34 in four overs and dismissed crucial batters at important moments. Shivang Kumar also picked up two wickets, while Reddy, Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain chipped in with one scalp each.
Here’s how fans reacted:
SRH the new number 1 on the points table.
Their bowling has been the reason where they are.— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 6, 2026
🚨 COOPER CONNOLLY BECOMES THE YOUNGEST EVER OVERSEAS TO HIT IPL HUNDRED. 🚨
– The future superstar of the IPL and PBKS. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/ruM3HOlb9L
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 6, 2026
What An Inning cooper connoly🔝
— thc (@oj4tta) May 6, 2026
🚨 SUNRISERS HYDERABAD – TOP OF THE POINTS TABLE IN IPL 2026 🚨
– The Pat Cummins Army. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FmI8ogGawM
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 6, 2026
Shaun Marsh hit a century in his 10th IPL game
Cooper Connolly, who idolises Shaun Marsh, hits a century in his 10th IPL@PunjabKingsIPL
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 6, 2026
The most impressive part of Cooper Connolly’s game is his game awareness. 👏
He plays modern day T20 cricket but in a different style. He’s not a blind slogger and that’s why whenever the situation or the pitch is tricky — you’ll find Connolly hustling at the centre of the… pic.twitter.com/9y8rmjUvtU
— Pratyush Halder (@pratyush_no7) May 6, 2026
Cooper Connolly – 107* off 59 Balls, 7 Fours and 8 Sixes.
– Great knock from Cooper Connolly against quality bowling of SRH.❤️ pic.twitter.com/nLX7g8u1vb
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) May 6, 2026
Cooper Connolly – the only good thing to come out of today’s match.
PBKS found their No. 3 for a longer term now..
Proud of your efforts and congratulations on maiden IPL century Cooper👏👏#PBKSvsSRH pic.twitter.com/5zdmmRZfGK
— Naina Dev (@NainaDev380254) May 6, 2026
Bro Cooper Connolly just saved PBKS from a massive loss!#SRHvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/zOBYvvh0JL
— Sumit Singh (@SumitSingh7781) May 6, 2026
That was some knock by Cooper Connoly
— kp (@pandey_kartikay) May 6, 2026
Cooper connoly 🫡
— Karan Chawla (@KaranCh05327522) May 6, 2026
Cooper Connoly is a long-term prospect for Australia, Future Captain and Match winner
— AB (@arunchandbala22) May 6, 2026
– Table Toppers.
– Most Wins in this IPL.
– Won POTM Award Vs PBKS.CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEGEND, PAT CUMMINS. 🫡#SRHvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/c3aLXtOYtD
— Nafees (@Nafees_22) May 6, 2026
– Nitish Kumar Reddy won POTM.
– Praful Hinge won POTM.
– Eshan Malinga won POTM.
– Abhishek Sharma won POTM.
– Ishan Kishan won POTM.
– Heinrich Klaasen won POTM.
– Pat Cummins won POTM*.7 DIFFERENT PLAYER OF THE MATCH WINNERS FOR SRH – THIS IS COMPLETE TEAM EFFORTS. 🧡🫡 pic.twitter.com/O71BTdYaz4
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) May 6, 2026
