Bhuvneshwar Kumar endured a tough evening in Hyderabad on Friday, landing on the wrong end of an IPL moment that will be remembered for the wrong reasons. The veteran Royal Challengers Bengaluru seamer conceded at least 50 runs in an IPL innings for the ninth time in his career—matching an unwanted benchmark previously set by Mohammed Shami. Even with Bhuvneshwar’s reputation as one of the tournament’s most respected bowlers and his status as the leading wicket-taker of IPL 2026, he had no answers to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s fearless approach on a surface that played into their strengths. In total, only Mohammed Shami (9) and Bhuvneshwar (9) share the record of nine IPL innings with 50-plus runs conceded, while Mohammed Siraj sits one behind on eight.
Powerplay damage sets the tone
The damage started almost immediately in the powerplay, when Abhishek Sharma launched a brutal spell against his former franchise teammate. He struck 56 runs from just 22 balls and refused to allow Bhuvneshwar any rhythm, repeatedly attacking him with sharp flicks and lofted shots that repeatedly found the leg-side.
RCB’s difficulties only intensified as Ishan Kishan combined control with aggression to pace the chase, striking 79 off 44 deliveries. The knock highlighted how often the bowling unit failed to nail its intended line and length, giving Hyderabad’s batters enough room to pick their spots.
Klaasen’s onslaught breaks the plans
The contest truly swung decisively when Heinrich Klaasen came to the crease. He dismantled the experienced RCB attack with a ruthless 51 off 24 balls, and his impact was even more dramatic against Josh Hazlewood—Klaasen punished him for 27 runs in a single over. That phase effectively derailed RCB captain Rajat Patidar’s plans and left their bowlers chasing the game rather than shaping it.
It wasn’t just Bhuvneshwar who struggled. Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam Dar also went for more than 50 runs each, resulting in one of RCB’s worst collective bowling outings of the season and putting the match beyond reach well before the innings ended.
SRH posts 255 for 4
Sunrisers Hyderabad ultimately piled up a massive 255 for 4, carving out the kind of total that comes with a heavy dose of clean hitting—featuring 20 fours and 16 sixes in another high-voltage display of power-hitting. The innings further cemented Hyderabad’s growing reputation as one of the most explosive batting sides of IPL 2026, while leaving RCB’s bowling attack exposed and vulnerable heading into the playoffs.
