Nitish Kumar Reddy's Brave Batting Fought in Vain as SRH Fall to RR
In a thrilling IPL Eliminator at Mullanpur, Rajasthan Royals overcame Sunrisers Hyderabad with Nitish Kumar Reddy's valiant bat despite his early bowling efforts that turned in Reddy's favour. The match showcased RR's aggressive strategy and SRH's resilience until the final over.
Highlights
- •Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered an impressive performance, scoring 38 off just 20 balls while reducing RR
- •Rajasthan Royals' cunning match plan with Jofra Archer proved crucial against opening SRH batsmen
- •SRH's hope crumbled as key players left the field early due to RR's dominant bowling and bat
- •Reddy's late efforts, including 190.00 strike rate, were not enough to keep SRH in contention despite 56 runs with Salil Arora
In a thrilling battle that unfolded during the Indian Premier League 2026 Eliminator at Mullanpur, Rajasthan Royals (RR) delivered an emphatic victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), with a final scoreline of 196 to 243. Despite formidable opposition, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy showcased a remarkable performance that briefly kept SRH alive in a match where the required run rate seemed insurmountable.
Reddy's Resilient Performance
While RR breezed to victory, SRH was on the brink of an improbable comeback. The chase looked doomed as SRH needed 112 runs off the final ten overs of what seemed to be a hopeless scenario. Enter all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy; paired with Impact Player Salil Arora for 56 runs in 24 balls, Reddy's aggressive innings saw him post 38 not out off just 20 deliveries, hitting two sixes and three boundaries. His fearless approach momentarily lifted SRH's spirits but ultimately fell short.
Rajasthan Royals' match plan was simple yet effective: utilize Jofra Archer for brutal swing bowling against the opening lineup of SRH, leaving other bowlers to be dispatched easily. This allowed RR to seize a dominant position, making SRH gasp for air as they faced an uphill task with key players returning to the dugout. Reddy's early discipline with the ball was commendable; however, his late-season heroics ended in a dramatic dismissal by Ravindra Jadeja.
Reddy's valiant effort did not save SRH from elimination but underlined his all-rounder capabilities. His contribution included three wickets with the ball and an outstanding 190.00 strike rate even as the lower order failed to support him, bowled out for just 196 runs in 19.2 overs.
RR now advances to Qualifier 2 against Gujarat Titans underlining their form ahead of the Grand Final showdowns.
