Hyderabad, May 7 (IANS) Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins has lavished praise on the team’s batting unit for their attacking approach after SRH registered a commanding 33-run victory over Punjab Kings on Wednesday to climb to the top of the IPL 2026 points table.

After aggressive half-centuries, mixed with some luck courtesy of crucial dropped catches, from Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan propelled SRH to a daunting 235/4, a disciplined bowling performance led by skipper Pat Cummins ensured victory for SRH despite Cooper Connolly’s sensational maiden IPL century for PBKS.

“Lots of experience. The batters have been on fire, so you don’t have to do too much. Sit back and everyone kind of looks after themselves, and it’s a good feeling around the group at the moment,” Cummins said in a video released by IPL on X.

Openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head provided a rapid start before Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen took charge in the middle overs with attacking half-centuries. Ishan Kishan, who survived multiple chances, including dropped catches and a missed stumping, made full use of the chances to score 55. Klaasen also capitalised on an early lifeline and smashed 69 to take SRH comfortably beyond the 200-run mark.

Cummins reserved special praise for Kishan, who was the captain of the team in the first seven matches in his absence. The Australian jokingly said that he had made the plan to come back after SRH started winning under Kishan’s leadership, following a poor start.

“Obviously, Ishan was excellent at the start. I wasn’t sure I was going to come back, but then we started winning, so I thought, oh, I’d better come back. But no, it’s been good fun. The bowling’s coming out all right. I’m feeling fresh. The team looks after itself,” he added.

Chasing a big total, the Punjab Kings lost early wickets as Cummins and Nitish Kumar Reddy struck inside the power play. Eshan Malinga added further pressure with the wicket of PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer.

Despite a fighting unbeaten 107 from Cooper Connolly, Punjab Kings could only manage 202/7 in their 20 overs as SRH bowlers maintained control throughout the chase.

With this win, SRH have 12 points in 11 matches. The 2016 winners will next face the Gujarat Titans (GT) after a six-day break on May 12.

–IANS

sds/bc