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Klaasen, Abhishek Power SRH to Record IPL 2026 Total vs KKR

Sunrisers Hyderabad posted the highest total of the IPL 2026 season, scoring 226/8 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. The innings was built on a blistering 82-run opening stand between Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. Heinrich Klaasen then anchored the middle order with a composed half-century, forming a crucial 82-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy. Despite a four-wicket haul from KKR's Blessing Muzarabani, SRH set a formidable target requiring KKR to chase at over 11 runs per over.

Key Points: SRH Post Highest IPL 2026 Total vs KKR | Match Highlights

  • SRH post season-high 226/8
  • Abhishek Sharma & Travis Head provide explosive start
  • Heinrich Klaasen scores crucial 52
  • Blessing Muzarabani claims 4-41 for KKR
  • KKR face chase at 11.3 runs per over
2 min read

IPL 2026: Klaasen, Abhishek help SRH reach highest total of the season against KKR

SRH scores 226/8 vs KKR. Klaasen's 52 & Abhishek's 48 set record. Muzarabani takes 4-41. Get the full match recap and scorecard.

"Klaasen carried on and maintained his composure to complete a fluent half-century - his first of this season."

Kolkata, April 2

Sunrisers Hyderabad rode on blistering knocks by Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen to post the highest total of the Indian Premier League 2026 season by finishing at 226/8 in their 20 overs against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.

For KKR, pacer Blessing Muzarabani ended with 4-41, and despite the side not conceding much in the back-end overs, they still have an uphill mountain to climb as they need to complete the chase at 11.3 runs per over.

Asked to bat first, SRH got off to a flying start, with Abhishek and Travis Head tearing into the new-ball attack, who erred in bowling too full and short. Head smashed 46 off 21 balls, laced with six fours and three sixes, while Abhishek struck 48 off 21, including four fours and as many sixes. The pair added 82 runs in under five overs, setting the tone for a mammoth score.

After Head was taken out by Kartik Tyagi, Muzarabani pulled things back for KKR with a double strike in the eighth over - removing Abhishek and a belligerent Ishan Kishan in quick succession. Though Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy were expensive, Anukul Roy managed to hold his own by accounting for Aniket Verma, leaving SRH at 118/4 in 9.2 overs.

Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy (39 off 24 balls) steadied the innings with a crucial 82-run stand for the fifth wicket, the second-highest for SRH in IPL history at that position. Whenever the bowlers erred, the duo were quick to send the ball over the boundary ropes - with Reddy also given a reprieve by Chakaravarthy.

Though Nitish and Salil Arora fell to Vaibhav Arora, Klaasen carried on and maintained his composure to complete a fluent half-century - his first of this season. His 52 off 35 balls featured four boundaries and a six, ensuring SRH maintained momentum despite regular wickets.

Harsh Dubey chipped in with a brisk cameo, striking successive boundaries off Arora in the 19th over. Muzarabani returned to claim two more wickets in the final, including Klaasen, to finish with his first four-fer in the IPL. Despite the late strikes, SRH crossed the 220-mark on a pitch that has aided strokeplay.

Brief scores:

Sunrisers Hyderabad 226/8 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 52, Abhishek Sharma 48; Blessing Muzarabani 4-41, Vaibhav Arora 2-47) against Kolkata Knight Riders

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As a KKR fan, this is painful to watch. Our bowling, especially the new-ball attack, was all over the place. Too full, too short... no discipline. Only Muzarabani showed some fight. Chasing 227 at Eden is not impossible, but 11.3 RPO from the start is a mountain.
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Ananya R
So proud of Abhishek Sharma! He's proving to be a real star for India. His intent from ball one is what modern T20 cricket is all about. Hope he gets a consistent run in the national side soon. Klaasen was pure class under pressure. SRH for the trophy? 🏆
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Vikram M
Respect to Blessing Muzarabani. 4 wickets on a flat track when everyone else was getting hammered. He was the lone warrior for KKR today. But honestly, where was the spin magic from Narine and Varun? They were so expensive. Team selection needs a look.
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Nikhil C
The pitch is a belter, so KKR still has a chance if their top order fires. But they need to go from ball one. No time to settle. Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer need to replicate what Head and Abhishek did. It's going to be a thrilling second innings for sure!
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Priya S
While the batting was explosive, SRH's middle order still looks a bit shaky after the openers fall. They lost 4 wickets quickly. Klaasen and Reddy saved them. They need more consistency there. But wow, what a total! IPL 2026 is delivering the entertainment

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