Hyderabad, Apr 03 : Sunrisers Hyderabad delivered a commanding all round performance against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, but the spotlight briefly shifted away from their emphatic victory due to a disciplinary issue involving Abhishek Sharma.
The young all rounder was fined 25 percent of his match fee and received one demerit point for violating the IPL Code of Conduct during the match. He accepted the Level 1 offence under Article 2.3, with the Match Referee’s decision standing as final.
Despite the setback, Hyderabad’s performance on the field was clinical. After being asked to bat first, they posted a daunting total of 226/8, thanks to a solid innings from Heinrich Klaasen, who scored a steady 52 off 35 deliveries.
The foundation was laid early by Travis Head and Abhishek, who tore into the opposition with an aggressive 82-run opening partnership in just over five overs. Abhishek looked particularly dangerous, hammering 48 runs from only 21 balls before falling just short of a half-century.
A brief slowdown in the middle overs threatened to disrupt the momentum, but Klaasen, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, rebuilt the innings with a crucial partnership that ensured a strong finish.
Chasing a massive target, Kolkata’s batting lineup faltered under pressure. Ajinkya Rahane once again failed to convert his start, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s well-made 52 stood out as the only notable contribution. Frequent wickets and poor coordination between batters led to multiple run-outs, ultimately collapsing the innings at 161 in 16 overs.
Hyderabad’s bowlers complemented the batting effort with a disciplined display. Jaydev Unadkat, Ehsan Malinga, and Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed with key wickets, ensuring there was no comeback for the hosts.
Although Blessing Muzarabani managed to pick up four wickets, the lack of support from other bowlers proved costly for Kolkata.
In the end, Hyderabad secured a convincing 65-run victory, marking a strong return to form. However, the fine imposed on Abhishek Sharma added a minor blemish to an otherwise dominant outing for the team.