Brief Score: Sunrisers Hyderabad (216/6 in 20 overs) beat Rajasthan Royals (159/10 in 19 overs) by 57 runs on Monday in Hyderabad. HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
The Sunrisers Hyderabad finally found the spark they had been searching for in IPL 2026, and it came through a bold shift in approach. Moving away from established names and backing youth, Hyderabad’s gamble paid off in emphatic fashion as they defeated Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Monday, April 13.
For a side that had struggled to find rhythm early in the season, this performance felt like a reset. The biggest concern coming into the contest had been SRH’s bowling. The experienced duo of Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel had failed to make a consistent impact, prompting the management to turn to uncapped options Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain.
It was a call that defined the game.
HINGE IGNITES SRH SURGE
The tone was set within the first over itself. Praful Hinge, making his IPL debut, delivered a spell that instantly tilted the contest in Hyderabad’s favour.
Rajasthan never recovered from the early damage. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi learned that with great power comes great responsibility, but on the night he forgot the latter and paid the price. The early wicket opened the door, and Hinge walked straight through it.
Soon after, Dhruv Jurel was undone, followed by Lhuan dre Pretorius, as Hinge ripped through the top order in his very first over. Rajasthan were left stunned at 1 for 3, with no time to settle.
Hinge’s impact did not end there. He returned later to dismiss captain Riyan Parag, who was caught in the deep after being drawn into a loose shot, and finished with figures of 4 for 34. It was a performance built on discipline, clarity and composure rather than flair, and one that immediately justified SRH’s decision to trust youth.
SAKIB HUSSAIN SEALS THE DEAL
If Hinge broke the backbone of the innings, Sakib Hussain made sure there was no recovery.
He struck early to remove Yashasvi Jaiswal and then returned at crucial moments to keep Rajasthan under pressure. His ability to vary pace and hit the right lengths proved effective on a surface that offered just enough assistance.
There was a brief fightback from Donovan Ferreira, who counterattacked with 69 off 44 balls and looked to drag Rajasthan back into the contest. However, Sakib cut that resistance short with a well executed off cutter that disturbed the stumps at a key moment.
Once Ferreira fell, the innings quickly unraveled. Sakib cleaned up the lower order, including wickets of Jofra Archer and Ravi Bishnoi, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 24.
Rajasthan were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19 overs, a total that reflected the early collapse as much as the inability to build sustained partnerships.
ISHAN KISHAN LEADS FROM FRONT
Earlier, it was Ishan Kishan who laid the foundation for SRH’s victory with a commanding innings at the top.
After early setbacks with Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head falling cheaply, Kishan took control of the innings. He balanced caution with aggression, ensuring stability before accelerating once set.
His 91 off 44 balls, which included eight fours and six sixes, set the tone for SRH’s total. He found support in Heinrich Klaasen, who added 40, while Nitish Reddy and Salil Arora contributed quickfire cameos of 28 off 13 and 24 not out respectively.
SRH eventually posted 216 for 6 in 20 overs, a total that proved more than enough given the way their bowlers responded.
Kishan’s influence extended beyond his batting. He remained actively involved as a leader, handing wicketkeeping duties to Salil Arora and staying close to his bowlers throughout the innings. His approach helped create a positive environment that allowed the young attack to perform with confidence.
WHAT NEXT FOR BOTH TEAMS
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, this win could mark a turning point. After a slow start, they now have a blueprint built on trusting youth and backing it with intent. They will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture against Chennai Super Kings.
For Rajasthan Royals, this was a rare off day in an otherwise strong campaign. They will look to quickly regroup and address the lapses as they prepare to face Kolkata Knight Riders in their next outing.
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