KKR vs SRH LIVE Score, IPL 2026: Klaasen Key as SRH Lose Early Wickets
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad LIVE Cricket Score, IPL 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad got a strong start at Eden Gardens despite losing important wickets. Openers Travis Head (46) and Abhishek Sharma (48) added momentum early, but SRH lost wickets at crucial moments. Head lost his wicket to Kartik Tyagi, while Blessing Muzarabani struck twice by dismissing both Ishan Kishan (14) and Abhishek, putting SRH under pressure.
SRH Still in Control but Klaasen Holds the Key
Even after losing their top-order batters, SRH still look in a stable position. However, the responsibility now falls heavily on Heinrich Klaasen, who must anchor the innings till the end. His role becomes crucial as SRH look to post a strong total and secure their first win of the season.
KKR Opt to Bowl First After Winning Toss
Earlier, KKR won the toss and chose to bowl against SRH. Both teams entered the match after losing their opening fixtures and needed a win to gain momentum in IPL 2026. KKR earlier failed to chase a 200-plus total, while SRH also suffered a similar defeat in their first match.
Injuries Trouble KKR, Cummins Still Missing for SRH
KKR’s pace unit has weakened due to injuries and player unavailability. Harshit Rana and Akash Deep remain ruled out, while Matheesha Pathirana has not received clearance yet. Big buy Cameron Green (₹25.20 crore) remains available only as a batter. On the other hand, SRH also face challenges, as skipper Pat Cummins remains unavailable due to fitness issues. In his absence, Ishan Kishan leads SRH, with Abhishek Sharma as vice-captain.
SRH Coach Vettori Backs Kishan’s Leadership
Before the match, SRH coach Daniel Vettori praised Kishan’s leadership qualities. He said Kishan enjoys responsibility and it can positively impact his batting and keeping. Vettori expressed confidence that Kishan will grow into an effective leader as he understands the team dynamics.
