Virender Sehwag has praised Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive style at home after the franchise delivered a dominant 55-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a high-scoring IPL 2026 contest at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday night. SRH powered to 255/4, with Ishan Kishan smashing 79 off 46, Abhishek Sharma firing 56 off 22, and Heinrich Klaasen striking 51 off 24. In response, RCB were held to 200/4, despite contributions from Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya and Venkatesh Iyer.
SRH’s home dominance sets the tone
Reflecting on why SRH have been so difficult to beat when they play in Hyderabad, Sehwag pointed to the pressure caused by their first-innings totals. He suggested that the team’s ability to post daunting scores consistently has become their most reliable advantage, and that the match against RCB raised that threat to another level.
- Sehwag said SRH’s biggest strength at home is their batting dominance.
- He noted that when SRH win the toss and bat first, they tend to be at their best.
- He highlighted that SRH have regularly set totals in the 230–240 range, forcing immediate pressure on the chasing side.
- Against RCB, SRH went even higher by posting 255, making the chase challenging from the first over.
- He observed that RCB approached the chase aggressively, but once the powerplay didn’t unfold as they would have liked, the contest increasingly slipped into SRH’s control.
How the match swung after the powerplay
Sehwag also explained that the turning point came when RCB began with intent but then lost key wickets after the powerplay phase. He cited the early acceleration from Venkatesh Iyer, followed by dismissals that steadily raised the required run rate and shifted momentum firmly toward Hyderabad.
- RCB started strongly thanks to Venkatesh Iyer’s quick 44 off 19 balls.
- After the powerplay, RCB lost wickets including those of Iyer, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal.
- With wickets falling after the powerplay, the chase demanded an ever-increasing rate.
- Sehwag said that on flat tracks, SRH’s approach of setting a huge target and then letting scoreboard pressure take over has become their trademark at home.
Sehwag on Venkatesh Iyer’s form and RCB’s selection dilemma
Beyond the result, Sehwag addressed Venkatesh Iyer’s recent form and the selection headaches it creates for RCB ahead of their upcoming fixtures. He argued that Iyer is most effective batting in the top order and stressed that RCB have not consistently provided him opportunities in his preferred position.
- Sehwag said Venkatesh Iyer is at his best when batting in the top order.
- He recalled that Iyer produced his standout performances for KKR in that batting slot.
- Sehwag added that for RCB, Iyer has not had many chances in his ideal spot.
Recent examples from Iyer’s recent outings
Sehwag referenced a sequence of performances to support his point, including Iyer’s ability to deliver when promoted and his impact in two key situations—first when Rajat Patidar was unavailable, and then when RCB faced SRH.
- Sehwag pointed to Iyer’s match-winning 73 against Punjab Kings.
- He said that after Rajat Patidar was injured, Iyer came in at number four versus Punjab and played another match-winning 73.
- Against SRH, Sehwag noted that Iyer opened the innings and struck a quick 44, giving RCB the start they needed in a 256-run chase.
Phil Salt’s fitness and who Sehwag would drop
With Phil Salt moving closer to full fitness, Sehwag suggested RCB’s next selection could be a “good problem,” but he was clear about the player he would make way for. He framed the decision around whether Venkatesh keeps his opening role and whether Jitesh Sharma’s form warrants a spot in the XI.
- Sehwag said that with Phil Salt returning to full fitness, the main question is whether Venkatesh will keep his place in the XI.
- He described it as a positive selection headache for RCB.
- Backing Iyer’s aggressive approach at the top, he said Iyer’s intent versus Hyderabad was “spot on.”
- Sehwag argued that when chasing 256, a positive start is essential—and that Iyer delivered.
- He said he would not drop Iyer from the opening slot.
Sehwag then outlined his preferred swap, stating that he would replace Jitesh Sharma with Phil Salt, citing Jitesh’s lack of strong form. He also said that if Salt is coming back, Jitesh should make way.
- Sehwag’s suggested change: replace Jitesh Sharma with Phil Salt.
- He said Jitesh Sharma is not in great form.
- He added that RCB have made bold decisions before.
- He concluded that if Salt returns, Jitesh should be the one to go.
