Sunrisers Hyderabad delivered one of the most dominant performances of IPL 2026 on April 13, demolishing table-toppers Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. This was Match 21 of the tournament, and it will be remembered not for the big names but for two debutants who rewrote the record books.
Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, both making their IPL debuts, picked up four wickets each to tear apart a Rajasthan batting lineup that had been unbeaten until this point. On the other end, captain Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with a blistering 91 off 44 balls to set up a massive total of 216/6.
Let us break down how this unforgettable night unfolded.
SRH Batting Highlights: Ishan Kishan Powers Hyderabad to 216/6
Kishan’s Masterclass After an Early Setback
After losing Abhishek Sharma for a golden duck on the very first ball, Hyderabad needed their captain to step up — and Ishan Kishan did exactly that.
Kishan walked in with the score at 0/1 and immediately took the attack to Rajasthan’s pace trio of Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, and Tushar Deshpande. He smashed Deshpande for four boundaries in a single over — 4, 6, 4, and 4 — to swing the momentum firmly in Hyderabad’s favour during the middle overs.
The Kishan-Klaasen Partnership That Changed the Game
The partnership between Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen was the turning point of the innings. The pair added 88 runs off just 39 balls, with Klaasen contributing a handy 40 off 26 deliveries.
Kishan brought up his half-century off just 30 balls with a six against Ravi Bishnoi and looked set for a well-deserved century. Unfortunately, he fell nine runs short when Sandeep Sharma had him caught for 91. It was a disappointing end to a spectacular knock, but the damage was already done.
Late Fireworks from Reddy and Arora
Nitish Kumar Reddy (28 off 13) and Salil Arora (24 not out) ensured Hyderabad finished strong. Reddy smashed Sandeep Sharma for a massive six in an over that cost 24 runs, while Arora kept the momentum going till the final ball. Together, they helped Hyderabad post a challenging 216/6 from their 20 overs.
SRH Bowling Highlights: Two Debutants Rewrite the Record Books
Praful Hinge Creates IPL History in the First Over
If Ishan Kishan’s innings was special, what happened next was nothing short of extraordinary.
Praful Hinge, a relatively unknown fast bowler making his IPL debut, was handed the new ball to open the bowling. What followed was the most devastating first over in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Hinge dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius — all three in the first over. No bowler in the 19 years of IPL history had ever achieved this feat. The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium erupted as each wicket fell, and the Rajasthan Royals found themselves in deep trouble at 9/5 within just three overs.
Speaking after the match, Hinge revealed he had visualised this exact scenario: “I manifested this. I had written somewhere that I would take four or five wickets on my debut. I told people I would bowl a bouncer to Sooryavanshi and get him out.”
He finished with figures of 4/34 — a dream debut by any standard.
Sakib Hussain Matches Hinge Wicket for Wicket
At the other end, fellow debutant Sakib Hussain was equally destructive. Hussain dismissed the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal and Donovan Ferreira before cleaning up the tail along with Eshan Malinga (2/31).
Hussain ended with figures of 4/24, making it the first time in IPL history that two debutants picked up four-wicket hauls in the same match.
“Every player wishes for a debut like this. It feels very nice,” Hussain said with a smile during the post-match presentation.
RR’s Fightback: Ferreira and Jadeja’s Rescue Act Falls Short
Donovan Ferreira’s Fearless Counter-Attack
At 9/5, the match looked over as a contest. But South African all-rounder Donovan Ferreira had other ideas. He played the most aggressive role in the recovery, scoring 69 off 44 balls with some massive sixes against the spin of Harsh Dubey. His fearless approach gave Rajasthan hope when there seemed to be none.
Jadeja’s Elegance Under Pressure
Ravindra Jadeja joined Ferreira and contributed 45 off 32 balls with his trademark elegant strokeplay. Together, the pair dragged Rajasthan from 9/5 to 127/5, a remarkable partnership that briefly made the impossible comeback feel possible.
The Final Collapse
But once both Ferreira and Jadeja fell in quick succession, the remaining batters had no answer to SRH’s relentless bowling attack. Rajasthan were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs, falling 57 runs short of the target.
Even Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag acknowledged the quality of the debutants: “They bowled beautifully. The pressure they had, with the home crowd chanting their name, the way they bowled, it was beautiful.”
Impact on IPL 2026 Points Table
Where Do RR Stand After Their First Loss?
Despite this defeat, Rajasthan Royals remain at the top of the standings with 8 points from 5 matches (4 wins, 1 loss). Their net run rate has taken a hit, but they still hold the number one position comfortably.
SRH’s Rise to Fourth Place
For Sunrisers Hyderabad, this win is a massive confidence booster. They have climbed to fourth place with 4 points from 4 matches. With captain Pat Cummins still recovering from injury, the emergence of Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain gives the bowling attack a completely new dimension.
Key Takeaways from SRH vs RR Match 21
Ishan Kishan Is Finding His Best Form
After a quiet start to the tournament, the SRH captain has now delivered two impactful performances in a row. His 91 off 44 was the highest individual score of the match and showed he can carry the batting when others fail.
Rajasthan’s Middle Order Vulnerability Exposed
When the top three failed for the first time this season, the Royals crumbled to 9/5. Ferreira’s rescue act papered over the cracks, but this is a concern Riyan Parag will need to address going forward.
SRH’s Bowling Depth Just Got Deeper
The Hinge-Hussain combination gives Hyderabad genuine pace options even without Pat Cummins. If these two can maintain consistency, SRH become a serious playoff contender.
The Powerplay Remains King in IPL 2026
Rajasthan’s success this season has been built on explosive powerplay batting. When that was neutralised by Hinge’s historic first over, the entire batting plan fell apart. This is a lesson for every team in the tournament.
Quick Scorecard: SRH vs RR Match 21
SRH Innings: 216/6 in 20 Overs
- Ishan Kishan: 91 (44 balls) — 10 fours, 4 sixes
- Heinrich Klaasen: 40 (26 balls)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: 28 (13 balls)
- Salil Arora: 24* (12 balls)
RR Innings: 159/10 in 19 Overs
- Donovan Ferreira: 69 (44 balls)
- Ravindra Jadeja: 45 (32 balls)
- Praful Hinge: 4/34
- Sakib Hussain: 4/24
- Eshan Malinga: 2/31
Result: SRH won by 57 runs Player of the Match: Praful Hinge Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
What Is Next in IPL 2026?
Tonight (April 14), Chennai Super Kings take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. CSK will be looking to build consistency in front of their home crowd while KKR aim to continue climbing the points table. It promises to be another cracker of a contest.
Who won the SRH vs RR match on April 13, 2026?
Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 57 runs, bowling Rajasthan Royals out for 159 while chasing 217
Who was the Player of the Match in SRH vs RR IPL 2026?
Praful Hinge was named Player of the Match for his historic 4/34 on debut, including three wickets in the first over.
What record did Praful Hinge set in IPL 2026?
Praful Hinge became the first bowler in IPL history to take three wickets in the first over of an innings.
How many runs did Ishan Kishan score against RR?
Ishan Kishan scored 91 runs off 44 balls, hitting 10 fours and 4 sixes before being dismissed by Sandeep Sharma.
Where is Rajasthan Royals on the IPL 2026 points table after this loss?
Despite the loss, Rajasthan Royals remain at the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 8 points from 5
