A high-stakes clash awaits as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 45 of IPL 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Sunday, May 03.
Match Preview
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been one of the most consistent teams this season, winning six out of nine matches and sitting comfortably in the top three. With strong momentum on their side, SRH will be looking to secure another win and move closer to playoff qualification.
Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, had a poor start to the season but have shown signs of recovery with back-to-back wins. Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR will be determined to continue their resurgence and keep their playoff hopes alive.
With SRH aiming to strengthen their position and KKR fighting to stay in contention, this match promises to be an exciting battle. Notably, this is also a repeat of the IPL 2024 final, adding extra intensity to the contest.
Match Details
• Match: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 45, IPL 2026
• Date & Time: Sunday, May 03, 3:30 PM (IST)
• Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
• Broadcast: JioStar Network Channels, JioHotstar (App & Website)
Pitch Report – Hyderabad
The Hyderabad surface has produced several high-scoring games this season. Batters are expected to enjoy the conditions, while spinners may get some assistance early on.
However, as the match progresses, chasing becomes easier due to the dew factor, making it advantageous to bowl first.
Head-to-Head Record
• Matches Played: 31
• SRH Won: 11
• KKR Won: 19
• Tied: 1
Predicted Playing XIs
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH):
Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (WK), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora (WK), Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins (C), Harsh Dubey, Praful Hinge, Eshan Malinga
Impact Player: Sakib Hussain
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
Ajinkya Rahane (C), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (WK), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Anukul Roy, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Chakravarthy
Impact Player: Matheesha Pathirana
Probable Best Performers
Best Batter: Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma has been in outstanding form this season, scoring 425 runs in nine matches at an impressive average. His aggressive batting at the top gives SRH strong starts and puts pressure on the opposition.
Best Bowler: Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine’s experience and variations make him a key asset for KKR. His ability to control the middle overs and deliver in crucial moments can make a big difference.
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
Considering the pitch conditions and current form, this match is likely to be a high-scoring contest.
Prediction:
Team chasing to win
Sunrisers Hyderabad have a slight edge due to their consistency and form, but Kolkata Knight Riders are capable of pulling off an upset.
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