Hyderabad Beat Punjab, Go Top of IPL Table
HYDERABAD: Sunrisers Hyderabad returned to winning ways with a 33-run victory over Punjab Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Wednesday. The win lifted Hyderabad to the top of the points table with 16 points, while Punjab suffered a third straight defeat.
Ishan, Klaasen power Hyderabad’s batting surge
After being sent in to bat, Hyderabad posted 235/4 in 20 overs on a batting-friendly surface. Ishan Kishan scored 55 off 32 balls, while Heinrich Klaasen struck 63 off 43 deliveries. Abhishek Sharma made 35 off 13 balls and Travis Head added 38 off 19.
Punjab’s fielding lapses proved costly. Ishan survived multiple chances, while Klaasen also benefited from a dropped catch. Hyderabad crossed the 100-run mark in 8.1 overs and looked set for 250 before Punjab bowlers pulled things back in the closing overs.
Lockie Ferguson took one wicket for 41 runs, while Vijaykumar Vyshak and Arshdeep Singh restricted the scoring late in the innings.
Early wickets derail Punjab chase
Punjab’s chase never gained momentum after losing openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh inside the first seven balls. Captain Shreyas Iyer also departed cheaply as Hyderabad bowlers tightened control in the powerplay.
Pat Cummins led the attack with figures of 2/34, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Eshan Malinga chipped in with key wickets.
Marcus Stoinis played a brief attacking knock of 28 off 14 balls before spinner Shivam Singh dismissed him.
Connolly’s century reduces defeat margin
Despite wickets falling regularly, Cooper Connolly fought a lone battle for Punjab. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 107 off 50 balls, hitting seven fours and eight sixes.
Suryansh Shedge scored 25, but Punjab eventually finished on 202/7 in 20 overs. Connolly completed his century in the final overs and reduced the margin of defeat.
Scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad 235/4 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 63, Ishan Kishan 55, Travis Head 38, Abhishek Sharma 35; Lockie Ferguson 1/41) beat Punjab Kings 202/7 in 20 overs (Cooper Connolly 107 not out, Marcus Stoinis 28; Pat Cummins 2/34) by 33 runs.
