IPL 2026: Pat Cummins Lauds SRH Bowling Dominance Following Win Over RCB
A Tactical Masterclass in Hyderabad
The IPL 2026 season has reached a fever pitch as the playoff picture begins to crystallize. In a highly anticipated clash between two qualified sides, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), it was the hosts who made a resounding statement. Despite both teams having already secured their spots in the next stage, neither side showed any inclination to ease their intensity, resulting in a high-octane encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
Dominance with the Bat
Sunrisers Hyderabad set the tone early, treating the home crowd to a batting masterclass. The SRH top order appeared to be on a mission to dismantle the RCB bowling attack from the very first ball. The scorecard told the story of a clinical assault: Ishan Kishan led the charge with a blistering 79 off 46 deliveries, supported brilliantly by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 56 from just 22 balls and Heinrich Klaasen’s 51 off 24. These contributions propelled Hyderabad to a formidable total of 255/4, a mountain that proved far too steep for the visitors to climb.
RCB’s Struggle to Keep Pace
Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced an uphill battle from the start of their chase. While Venkatesh Iyer, stepping in for the injured Jacob Bethell, provided a glimmer of hope with an aggressive 44 off 19 balls, the momentum could not be sustained. Despite a prolonged partnership between Krunal Pandya and captain Rajat Patidar, the required run rate proved insurmountable. RCB ultimately finished on 200/4, falling short by a massive margin of 55 runs.
It was a challenging outing for the Bengaluru bowling unit, which has generally been consistent throughout the season. Bhuvneshwar Kumar uncharacteristically conceded 51 runs in his four overs, while Josh Hazlewood became the most expensive bowler of the night, leaking 55 runs. Rasikh Salam also struggled to contain the flow of runs, ending with an economy rate of 13.00, underscoring the sheer dominance displayed by the SRH batters.
Cummins Hails the Bowling Unit
Following the victory, SRH captain Pat Cummins was full of praise for his squad, particularly highlighting the evolution of his bowling attack. The Aussie pacer expressed immense satisfaction with how his bowlers have executed plans throughout the season, specifically pointing to the contributions of Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain.
“It was pretty impressive to get the score that we did. I thought the boys batted fantastically and it’s a good bowling performance. Everyone’s hitting their straps,” Cummins remarked during the post-match presentation. He specifically lauded Malinga’s prowess, noting, “They’ve been fantastic. I’ve actually learned a lot off those guys as well. The way Eshan has bowled all season, particularly in that powerplay—he’s been the form bowler of the comp, mixing up his slow balls and different variations. And of course, Sakib has been excellent as well. It’s a captain’s dream.”
