Sunrisers Hyderabad Secures Third Place in IPL 2026 After Thrilling Victory Over RCB

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wrapped up the IPL 2026 group stage with a significant victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), finishing third in the standings. Despite ending with 18 points, SRH missed a top-two finish due to net run rate. Coach Daniel Vettori praised the team's performance, highlighting their impressive comeback after a rocky start to the season. With a strong batting display, SRH set a challenging target and showcased their bowling prowess. As they prepare for the Eliminator, the team aims to secure a spot in the finals. Discover more about SRH's journey and match highlights.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2026, 13:56 IST

SRH Celebrates Strong Tournament Performance

Daniel Vettori, the coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), commended his team for their impressive journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 group stage. Following a decisive win against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), SRH concluded the league with a total of 18 points.

Final Match Highlights: SRH vs RCB

In their last group-stage encounter, SRH triumphed over RCB by 55 runs. Despite this victory, SRH finished third in the standings, as both RCB and Gujarat Titans (GT) also ended with 18 points but had better net run rates. SRH's net run rate stood at +0.524, while GT's was +0.695, and RCB led with +0.783. All three teams played 14 matches, winning nine and losing five. This third-place finish means SRH will face the Eliminator and must win the Qualifier 2 against the loser of the Qualifier 1 (between RCB and GT) to advance to the finals.

A Remarkable Comeback

The season started off challenging for SRH, as they lost three out of their first four matches. However, they made a remarkable comeback, securing five consecutive victories to turn their campaign around.

Vettori's Praise for the Team

In the post-match press conference, Vettori expressed his admiration for the team's performance against RCB, highlighting their overall success in winning nine matches. He noted that despite narrowly missing a top finish due to net run rate, the team's performance was commendable. "We played really well. You can't have everything. It was a magnificent game. I thought the guys were incredible. Top of the table, missed out a little bit on run rate, but nine wins is a fantastic tournament," Vettori stated.

Match Summary: SRH vs RCB

In the match against RCB, SRH set a formidable target of 255/4, thanks to significant contributions from Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen, each scoring fifties. RCB, in response, managed to score 200/4, with Rajat Patidar and Venkatesh Iyer providing a strong start. Eshan Malinga led SRH's bowling attack with figures of 2/33.