Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals, IPL, 2026 Apr 21 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! Sunrisers Hyderabad complete a 47-run win and make it three victories in a row. Full and speared in from around the wicket by Dubey. Ngidi goes for the slog sweep. He does not quite get hold of it. Dilshan Madushanka sprints to his left at deep mid-wicket and stretches his hands out in that direction. He completes the catch neatly this time. Harsh Dubey finishes with 3 wickets to his name.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dilshan Madushanka just about hangs on. Harsh Dubey has his second wicket. Full and going across the right-hander from over the wicket. Rizvi sinks to a knee and has a slog across the line. He gets no power on the shot and drags it straight down the throat of deep mid-wicket. Madushanka bends and snatches at it slightly as he looks to take the catch close to his chest. The ball nearly pops out, but he manages to cling to it. Lungi Ngidi is the new man in.

Leg bye! Shorter and quicker, on middle, Kuldeep steps out to flick it away. Gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit high on the front pad. The batters cross for a leg bye as the ball dribbles to the off side.

This is dropped short by Dubey, on off. Sameer stands tall and smacks it with a flat bat toawrds long off. Heinrich Klaasen gets around to his right and tidies up. Just a single.

Half a shout for LBW. Full and pushed through, just outside the off stump. Kuldeep plants his front foot across for the sweep but the ball goes under the bat to catch him on the front pad. A leg bye is sneaked in as the ball drops beside the strip on the leg side. However, it is given as runs off the bat in the end.

Kuldeep Yadav walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! One left-arm finger spinner gets the better of the other. On a good length, a bit of turn, on middle. Patel looks to go with the turn. He clears the front leg, but the ball comes on slower than he expected. Axar plays it well in front of his body as he swings across. He holes out to deep mid-wicket, where Nitish Kumar Reddy gobbles it up.

All the pacers are bowled out. Will it be Harsh Dubey or Shivang Kumar to bowl the last over? It is the more experienced Dubey who will bowl the last over.c

Nearly sneaked through! Hussain drags the length back and gets the ball to skid through, on middle. Patel hurriedly drops his bat down and dabs it behind point for a single. Sakib continues his good form in the IPL, ending with 4-0-29-1 on the night.

Low full toss, on off. Rizvi brings his bat out in front and hits it to long off for another single.

Around the pads, slightly too straight, Patel jabs it in front of square on the leg side for one.

Takes pace off again and keeps it around off, on the shorter side. Rizvi goes deep in the crease and guides it through third man for a single.

Off-cutter, on a short of a length, on middle. The ball spins back in to Rizvi, who chops it down.

Full and on off. Rizvi plays the drive with a high elbow to the right of the man at deep point. He has to hurry to complete the second run but he gets home.

Axar Patel walks out to bat next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ashutosh has been outfoxed by Malinga, who finishes his spell in the best possible fashion. Serves the off-cutter, on a length, outside off. Ashutosh Sharma reaches out but fails to pick the change of pace. He swings early and gets it only as far as long on, where Aniket Verma runs in off the ropes and slides to complete the catch. End of another impressive outing from Eshan. Finishes with figures of 4-0-32-4

Superb execution! This yorker keeps tailing back into the right-hander, on middle. Ashutosh cannot do much about it. He digs it out beside the strip on the off side.

Wide! An off-cutter, well wide on off. Sharma lets it through.

Wide! Malinga comes up with the slower, short ball, over middle. Sharma arches back to play the ramp over the keeper but misses. It is deemed too high and the umpire calls it a wide.

FOUR! Dilshan Madushanka should have done better. Full and at pace, on off. Sharma swings for the hills and the ball goes off an inside edge to short fine leg. Dilshan dives to his left but the ball goes under his body and it races away.

Well disguised! Off-cutter, near the tramline and it drops on the batter. Ashutosh Sharma shuffles across the stumps to sweep but the ball dips on him and goes under the blade.

Malinga goes full, on middle. Ashutosh brings his bottom hand into play and drills it back past the bowler. He gets it to the left of the man at long on for a couple of runs.

Tailing back in, full and on off. Rizvi swats it to wide long on for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! On a good length, this is angled into the right-hander by Dubey. Ashutosh is cramped for space but he manages to get his hands through the ball. Lofts it back over the bowler's head for a four. 66 needed off 18 balls.

Low full toss, on middle, this is driven to the left of long on for a couple.

Rapped on the pads! Turned down by the umpire. Seemed to have struck outside the line but Harsh Dubey looks convinced and Ishan Kishan takes the review. On a length, around the off stump. Ashutosh Sharma switches his stance for the reverse but is beaten for pace and wears it on the pads. No bat involved and even though the ball is hitting the off stump on Ball Tracking, the impact is umpire's call. The on-field call of NOT OUT stays.

Full and on off. This is carved over cover for a single.

DROPPED! Aniket Verma shells it. That should have been taken. Speared in, full and on middle. Rizvi clears the front leg and swings at it. He loses his shape and slices it off the outer half to deep cover. Aniket runs in off the ropes and tries to take the catch in reverse cup style over his right shoulder. He never managed to steady himself under it and the ball bursts through his hands before dropping to the ground. A couple taken by Sameer.

Begins from around the wicket and fires it in, on the shorter side, on off. Ashutosh hammers it to deep cover for a single.

Malinga hits the back of a length at 141.8 kph, on off. Ashutosh Sharma gives the bowler the charge and punches it to long on for a single. 12 runs and the wicket of Stubbs from the over. Delhi Capitals need 76 runs in 24 balls.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Just when the Capitals looked like they were making a real match out of it, the Sunrisers have managed to get the breakthrough. With 77 needed off 25 balls, DC will certainly need a miracle to get over the line here, but you never know. They also have the Impat Sub option up their sleeves. For now, SRH will be feeling quite good and will try and pick up a wicket or two to really seal things here. Delhi Capitals do use the Impact Sub and bring on Ashutosh Sharma, who walks out to bat as well. He replaces Mukesh Kumar in the lineup.

Mukesh Kumar is substituted by Ashutosh Sharma

OUT! CAUGHT! One reverse ramp too many for Tristan Stubbs. Eshan Malinga leaps in delight. Wicket number three for the Sri Lankan. Eshan takes pace off and goes into the surface, outside off. Tristan shuffles across to get closer to the line and looks to go over short third with the reverse scoop. He has no pace to work with and ends up spooning it towards short third, where Sakib Hussain moves to his left and takes a safe catch. The 59-run stand comes to an end. DC are now 5 down for 166, needing 77 runs in 25 balls.

FOUR! First real blemish tonight from Abhishek Sharma. Malinga bangs it in short, outside off, Stubbs stands tall and hammers the pull wide of deep mid-wicket. It bounces towards Abhishek in the deep, who slides to cut it off but the ball kicks up to catch him on the thigh and it trickles into the fence.

Stubbs goes again but does not get the desired result this time. A low full toss and it tails back into the right-hander, on middle and leg. Stubbs stoops low in order to take the ball on the full and play the reverse ramp. Gets a top edge and it sails over the keeper. The ball does not have enough legs to reach the fence and the short fine leg fielder cuts it off.

FOUR! Nicely done! Eshan misses the yorker and it comes out as a low full toss. Stubbs hangs low and watches the ball all the way onto the bat as he plays the reverse ramp over short third for a one-bounce boundary. The 50-run stand comes up.

Very full, in line with the off stump. Rizvi is standing a bit outside the off stump and deep in the crease. Swipes it away to deep square leg for a run.

One more to end the over. Slower one, on a good length and over middle, this is hoicked away over the mid-wicket region for a single by Rizvi.

Full and straight, punched to the right of the bowler. Sakib can't get to it and the ball rolls down to long on. Just another single.

Tap and run. Slower one, back of a length and outside off, nudged down in front of short third for one.

Bowled from wider on the stumps, angled full and at the stumps. Stubbs firms it down to long on and turns the strike over.

FOUR! Sakib just misses his line and gets punished. Too full and on the pads, Tristan Stubbs flicks it away and gets it through the vacant backwad square leg region for a boundary.

Full and darted in at the toes, Sameer Rizvi walks across and looks to help it on its way. Rizvi seems to have missed it and the ball deflects off the pads behind square leg for a run. There's half an appeal for LBW from the bowler, but it is turned down. The bowler doesn't seem all that interested but the captain takes the review. UltraEdge shows that the ball actually went off the bat.

A review for LBW, not given on the field. Seemed to be going down leg. Oh, there's a deflection, confirmed by the UltraEdge.

Fuller now, at the stumps, hit away firmly through mid-wicket for a single. 16 off the over.

SIX! SMOKED! Slower ball outside off, Sameer Rizvi sets up in a side-on stance and thwacks the ball across and well over wide long on for a biggie.

That's a top delivery but the fielding has let the bowler down. Reddy nails the wide yorker, Rizvi hangs deep and jams it out behind point. The fielder comes in from the deep but fumbles and allows the second run.

Cheeky attempt, but doesn't come off for Rizvi. Full and outside off, shapes in a bit as well. Sameer Rizvi plants the front leg across and tries to play a lap sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Keeps the length full but goes wide outside off, taking pace off as well. Stubbs drills it to long off but for just a single.

SIX! Miss your mark by even an inch, and you get punished these days. A low full toss from Reddy, at the stumps, Tristan Stubbs stays still and pumps it back over the bowler's head for a six.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is back to bowl his final over. He has been expensive tonight, having gone for 41 runs in his 3 overs.

Just a single, Dilshan Madushanka rounds off a very solid debut spell with figures of 4-0-36-1. Fullish length, on middle, Stubbs waits for it and pats it back past the bowler for a single. 113 needed now off 42 balls.

Pitched up this time, on middle and leg, Rizvi punches it down to long off and turns the strike over. 11 off the over with one ball to go.

FOUR! Nicely done. A slower bumper, bowled well short and around off. Rizvi waits for it well and angles the ramp between the keeper and the short third fielder to pick up another boundary.

Ashutosh Sharma has his pads on in the dugout. He is likely to walk in as the Impact Sub for DC.

Short of a good length, on leg, short-arm jabbed to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Length again, a bit fuller and at the stumps, pushed down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Scythed away into the gap. Good length, angled across middle and leg, Sameer Rizvi backs away and opens the bat face, forcing the lofted shot over covers for a boundary.

Nagging length on middle and leg, sliding across the right-hander, and Stubbs taps it straight to cover. 10 off the over, still under-par.

Dragged well short and wide outside off, Rizvi reaches for it and tries to slog across the line but drags it without much timing towards wide mid on for one more.

A floated up wrong'un, on middle, driven uppishly and through mid off for just another single.

Fuller now, outside off, Rizvi leans ahead and strokes it down to long off for a single.

Flatter one, on a dragged length and around off, dabbed down to short third.

SIX! DC need a lot more of those. Floated up on off, it is the attempted googly. Sameer Rizvi goes on one knee, reaches for it and slogs it high and straight back over the bowler's head for a six.

With two right-handers at the crease, Shivang Kumar has been brought back. He conceded 19 runs in his only over so far.

Full and straight at the stumps, Stubbs drives it firmly but straight to mid off. Both batters take off for the single but turn back quickly. Just two runs and two wickets off the over and SRH are in control of the game right now.

Hard length around middle, hit away off the inside half of the blade and past square leg for one more.

Oh, nearly a mix-up between the batters now. Good length on the pads, Stubbs clips it away towards deep square leg for one and turns quickly for the second but Sameer Rizvi sends him back.

No hat-trick! Malinga goes for the straight yorker but ends up bowling a full toss and Tristan Stubbs punches it down to mid on.

Tristan Stubbs walks out to bat with Eshan Malinga on a hat-trick. A slip in place for the hat-trick ball. The crowd is right behind Malinga as he steams in.

OUT! TIMBER! Eshan Malinga has just bamboozled David Miller on the very first ball, and he's pumped up with that wicket. Another slower ball, short of a good length and on off and middle. The ball grips a bit and nips in. Miller stays put and just half-heartedly has a push at it. The ball takes the inside edge and knocks over the bails. 107/1 has now become 107/4 for the Capitals, and Malinga is on a hat-trick.

One left-hander replaces the other. David Miller walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! SRH go bang-bang and Abhishek Sharma seems to be everywhere right now. Eshan Malinga brings out the slower one, bowls it on a hard length and over middle and leg. Nitish Rana backs away and lines it up but gets the big shot high on the bat. The ball sails over mid on and Sharma from long on runs forward to take a sliding catch. Rana departs after a solid knock but DC lose two set batters in quick succession, needing 136 more off 59 balls.

Halfway mark in the chase. The Capitals are 107/2 as opposed to the Sunrisers' 104/1. Neck-and-neck at this stage. Also, Eshan Malinga is brought back into the attack now.

Fuller now, on off. Sameer leans onto the shot and punches it neatly but can't get it past Ishan Kishan at cover.

Beaten! A ripper from Sakib. On a hard length, at 137.3 kph, outside off. Rizvi stands tall to use the pace with an open bat face. The ball nips away a bit off the deck to go past the outside edge.

Who walks in next? Will DC send David Miller up the order? Nope, Sameer Rizvi walks in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT! An innocuous delivery, but it still fetches Sakib Hussain a wicket. That's how the game goes sometimes. KL Rahul throws his head back in disappointment. Hussain gets the length wrong as he slips in a full toss, on the pads, at thigh height. Rahul picks it up off the pads but picks out Abhishek Sharma at deep square leg. Sharma gets forward and takes a low catch. The 86-run stand has been broken. DC are now 107/2, chasing 243 runs.

On a length, on off. Rana has driven this through point for a run.

FOUR! Up and over! Angling away, on a good length. Rana makes room and uses the angle to carve it over backward point. Shivang Kumar sprints and dives to his right in the deep but is beaten.

FOUR! Rana flashes and flashes hard! His first FIFTY of the season and a much-needed one from DC's perspective, given the woes at number 3. Sakib Hussain angles one across the batter, and Rana throws his hands at the ball. It squirts off the outer half behind point for a boundary.

SIX! Rahul will hope that this hit gets him going, as it has been a real struggle for him so far. A bit too predictable from Reddy as he goes short once more, over middle. Rahul backs away early and slams it over backward point for a six.

Reddy keeps it short but at pace, on off. KL gets on top of the bounce and pulls it hard towards wide long on. Heinrich Klaasen moves swiftly to his right and picks the ball up but is late in releasing the throw. That allows the batters to sneak in the second run.

Reddy goes for the slower, short ball, over middle. Rahul arches back to flay it behind point but misses it completely due to the slowness of the delivery.

Reddy bangs it in short, over off. Rahul stands tall and drags the pull aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Heinrich Klaasen gets to the ball from long on before Sakib Hussain can come in from deep square leg. Klaasen does the mop-up job and the batters run a couple.

Full and on off. Rana gets forward and drives it to long off to turn the strike over.

Full and on middle, Rahul moves away from the stumps towards the leg side. He has a hoick across the line and mishits it to long on. They cross.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (2-0-29-0) is back on.

FOUR! In the gap! Floated up by Shivang, fuller and on off. Rana makes room and opens up the off side. Goes inside out over cover and picks up a boundary. The long off fielder cannot cut it off. A very productive over for DC. 19 runs off it.

SIX! Reddy's effort goes in vain! Another drag down by Kumar, turning back in, on middle and leg. Rana goes for the pull and he does not quite get hold of it. Nitish Kumar Reddy sprints to his left at deep mid-wicket and stretches his hands out in front. His momentum would have anyway taken him over the ropes but he tried to catch and lob it towards the converging deep square leg fielder. The ball burst through his hands and landed beyond the boundary cushions.

SIX! Dispatched! Shivang Kumar errs in his length as he drags it down, on middle. Rana presses on the back foot for the pull and pulls it to the left of Nitish Kumar Reddy at deep mid-wicket. The ball lands just beyond the boundary cushions.

Another googly to the right-hander, keeping it away from the batter's arc. Rahul drags it towards deep mid-wicket. Abhishek Sharma gets around to his left and keeps it down to a single.

This is full and quick, on the off stump. Nitish sinks to a knee and plants his front foot across. He sweeps it behind square leg and crosses over.

Starts with the googly, on the shorter side, on off. Rahul goes deep in the crease to whip it away. It goes off the inside edge wide of short fine leg for a run.

There has been a constant drizzle for quite a while now, but no one seems much fazed, and the forecast also suggests that the meek drizzle won't turn into anything substantial, which is a good sign. With that said, the wrist-spinner, Shivang Kumar, comes into the attack.

Pace off, full and on the pads. KL wrists it through square leg and picks up a single.

A bit of tail back into the left-hander on the yorker. Rana jams it out beside the strip for a single.

Marginal call, but it goes in favour of Dilshan Madushanka. Very full, slanting in from over the wicket. Rana gets inside the line but fails to help it away. The umpire feels that the ball would have hit Rana on the pads had he not moved. A quizzical look from the batter but he does not review.

Wide! Down leg again but this is on the shorter side. Rana swivels and swings hard to go over long leg but connects with thin air.

Wide! Slips in a full ball but angles down leg. Rana walks across to glance it fine but misses.

Dilshan sticks to the off-pace ball and this is dug in short, outside off. Nitish Rana shuffles and tries to get inside the line. Attempts the hook but fails to connect.

Wide! Dilshan spots Nitish backing away and he looks to push it away from the batter. It does not quite come out of the hand right for Madushanka. It is sprayed well beyond the guideline.

Slower ball attempted by Dilshan Madushanka. It comes out as a low full toss but Rana cannot take full toll. Nitish walks across the stumps and swings across the line. It goes over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

At 133.5 kph, this is on a length, on middle. Rahul clears the front leg and firms the drive with a straight bat to long on. They cross.

STRATEGIC BREAK! So far, so good for the home side and even though the Capitals are going a hair under 10 runs an over, they would have loved 10-15 more runs in the Powerplay. With 184 needed off just 84 balls, DC will have to keep going hard at the bowlers through the middle phase as well. SRH will hope that they can cash in and create a few wicket-taking opportunities. A lot rides on the upcoming phase and the next 5-6 overs will give us a better idea of which team has a better chance of winning the game. Let's get back to the action. Also, Dilshan Madushanka returns to the attack.

Tidy stuff from Sakib. The last over of the Powerplay is toughest to bowl as batters look to finish on a high but Hussain has given away just 5 runs. Skidding through, on a hard length. Nitish gets on top of it and knocks it straight to cover.

Nice deception from Hussain. A snap of the wrist by Sakib as he bowls the off-cutter, on a back of a length, across off. Rana is undone by the change of pace. He hangs back to pull, but the ball just does not arrive. He leaves the bat hanging and ends up angling it behind point.

Well bowled! A sharp and quick bumper, over the right shoulder. Rana is rushed and he hurriedly drops his wrists before ducking under it.

Pace on now at 140.5 kph, on a hard length, following the batter as he backs away. Nitish pats it to mid on.

FOUR! Carved away! Sakib bangs in the off-cutter but fails to get it high enough. This sits up to be hit, outside off. Rana presses back and crouches to slice it over point for a four.

Angled in, on a good length, around the off stump. Rahul plays well in front of his body and pushes it to long on for a single.

Sakib Hussain to bowl now.

Good short ball to end the over. Banged in short and over the stumps, Nitish Rana ducks under it.

Just short. Back of a length and on leg, Rahul nurdles it off the hips and the ball nearly carries to short fine. The fielder gets a bad bounce and fumbles as the batters pick up a single.

SIX! Adding insult to injury. Full and straight, KL Rahul clears the front leg and tees off, launching it back over the bowler's head for a biggie. 50 UP FOR DC!

DROPPED! Oh, that's a simple caught and bowled chance and Malinga's fumbled it. Nicely bowled, it is slower and a bit into the pitch as well, angling into the batter. Rahul goes leg side and the ball stops on him. Rahul ends up chipping the ball back and Malinga gets both hands on it in his follow-through, but the ball pops out as Malinga snatches at it.

Good length outside off, Rana strides out and taps it through cover-point for one.

Back of a length, tight line on off, angled away to short third for a single.

Will Dilshan Madushanka bowl three in a row? The answer is no. Dilshan's countryman, Eshan Malinga has been brought into the attack.

FOUR! Plastered back past the bowler. Hard length on off and middle, Rana makes room and hits it flat and straight down the ground, just past the umpire, and for a boundary as well. 16 off the over and the Capitals have a bit of momentum now.

SIX! Up, up, and away. Another slower ball, on a good length and wide outside off. This one sits up for the batter. Nitish Rana gets his hands through the line of the ball and whacks it wide of long off for a huge six.

Reddy peppers the hard length and pushes the ball into the right-hander. Rahul pushes it through mid on and rotates the strike.

Full again, just outside off, Rana hammers the drive to the left of covers and the fielder over there gets across quickly to keep it down to one.

Pace on this time, in the blockhole and just outside off, jammed out to mid off.

FOUR! Slower one, well picked and put away by Rana. Fractionally short and outside off, Rana stays a bit low and jabs the ball between point and covers to pick up a boundary.

Length ball on the pads, slower again, nudged away behind square leg for a single. Just 8 runs and a wicket off the over.

No timing on it and that nearly carried to the fielder. Slightly slower, scrambling the seam and bowled fuller around off. Nitish Rana looks to heave it over wide mid on but miscues it badly in front of mid on.

WIDE! Shortish length down leg, Rana shuffles inside the line to pull it fine but misses.

A knuckle-ball now from Dilshan, bringing out all the variations. This is pitched up on the stumps and grips a bit as well. Rana looks to slog it away on the leg side but misses and wears it on the pads.

Full and straight, Rana looks to smoke it straight back but mistimes it to the right of mid on. The sub fielder, Harshal Patel runs after it and keeps it down to two runs.

FOUR! That's such a good ball to bowl first up to the new batter. A well-directed bumper, darts back in towards Nitish Rana sharply. Rana tries to get out of the way by ducking but the ball ends up brushing the gloves and goes away past the keeper into the fine leg fence.

A bit of drizzle in the air. The ground staff have gathered on the sidelines. We carry on for now. Here is Nitish Rana at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the fielder and Dilshan Madushanka gets one over his countryman. Madushanka changes the seam position a bit, bowling it as a scrambled seam, and serves it on a good length outside off. Pathum Nissanka charges down the pitch and backs away before giving it a wallop. However, he hits it flat and straight to mid off, where the substitute fielder Liam Livingstone pouches it well just to his right. The Capitals lose an early wicket here.

Deceptive slower one, slightly full and at 118.9 kph. Nissanka sets up to heave but is a bit undone and gets it off the handle of the blade towards short fine leg for a run.

Good-length delivery on off, angled in and this one is bowled with some extra effort at 139 kph. Rahul tugs it past square leg and picks up a single.

Skiddy length, just outside off, Rahul looks to cut but is beaten.

FOUR! KL Rahul doesn't want to miss out on the fielding restrictions. Banged into the deck this time, over middle, Rahul advances and hammers it over mid on for four more runs.

SIX! Dismissive from KL! Good length, slightly shorter and on the pads. Rahul whips it off the legs and sends the ball sailing over deep square leg for a six.

Pitched up, on off stump, allowing the ball to swing away. Rahul drives on the up but straight to mid off.

WIDE! Starts with a loosener, does Nitish Kumar Reddy. Back of a length and wide outside off, shapes away. KL Rahul throws his hands at it but the ball keeps low and Rahul nearly loses complete control of the willow. Called a wide, seemed marginal. Also, the physio is out to check on Rahul, as he has a tennis elbow problem, but Rahul sends him back.

Nitish Kumar Reddy will operate from the other end. A bit of swing in the opening over for Dilshan Madushanka. Let's see if Reddy gets any assistance.

Nagging length, not all that full and on off, this one doesn't swing back in. Nissanka stays back to defend. 8 runs off the first over of the chase.

SIX! Good-length delivery, on middle, swinging back in. Pathum Nissanka is ready for it and stays put before swatting it across and over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Good length, swings back into the leg stump, Rahul stays leg side and wrists it down to deep backward square leg for a run. Rahul is off the mark as well.

Lovely shape on it once again. Nagging length on middle, at 140.2 kph, and darting back in. KL Rahul blocks it with a straight bat.

Oh, that's come back in sharply. Good length again, shapes back into the pads, Nissanka manages to clip it away past square leg and picks up a single to get DC's chase underway.

Just a hint of shape to begin with. On a good length, starts on the off stump and comes into the right-hander. Pathum Nissanka watchfully blocks it into the off side.

FOUR! A boundary to close the SRH innings. 20 came off the final over and SRH have posted 242 on the board. On a length, wide outside the off-stump, Heinrich Klaasen reaches it and just puts bat on ball. The connection is so pure that the ball almost goes over the fence, but lands just inside and bounces over for four towards the deep third region.

Full and on off, Abhishek Sharma rolls this to sweeper cover for one run.

FOUR! Sharma finds the fence again and after a while. Wide yorker, around off, Abhishek Sharma steps down and just slices this through the left of short third for a boundary.

Mukesh goes around the stumps and bowls a yorker, around the pads. Heinrich Klaasen looks for the ramp but ends up toe-poking this to square leg.

SIX! Even better this time. Right in the slot from Mukesh and Heinrich Klaasen smashes this just over the fence towards the long off region for a biggie. Long off was brought inside the circle right before this delivery.

FOUR! Exactly the start SRH wanted for the final over. On a length, around off, Heinrich Klaasen stays leg side of the ball and lofts this over extra cover for a boundary.

Outstanding stuff from T Natarajan. Just 6 runs from the 19th over, an over worth its weight in gold for DC. Mukesh Kumar to bowl the final over. He has gone for 33 runs in his 3 overs so far.

Nails the yorker to close the over and Heinrich Klaasen could only tuck this down the ground to long on for a single. Excellent from T Natarajan.

Full and around the pads yet again, Abhishek Sharma flicks this towards long on and takes just one run. This is superb execution from T Natarajan.

This is superb from T Natarajan. Yorker, around the pads, following the batter towards the leg side. Abhishek Sharma ends up scuffing this back to the bowler.

A change of bat for Abhishek Sharma.

Another slower one, short and around off. Heinrich Klaasen pats this to sweeper cover for a run.

On a length, around the pads of the batter, cramping Sharma for any sort of room to free his arms. Abhishek drills this down to long off for a strike rotation.

WIDE! Full and down the leg side, Abhishek Sharma goes for a flick but misses. Wided.

T Natarajan hits the deck hard and bowls this short and wide of off. Heinrich Klaasen punches this towards sweeper cover for a run.

T Natarajan (3-0-34-0) has been given the task of bowling the 19th over. So, barring any surprises, it will be Mukesh Kumar to close out the innings.

Pace on this time, yorker, following the batter to his leg. Heinrich Klaasen pushes this down to long off for a single. 14 runs off the over.

SIX! The floodgates might have opened again. Slower one, full and around off, Heinrich Klaasen stays deep inside the crease and gets right underneath it as he plays the lofted drive. Hits this all the way into the stands for a biggie towards the deep extra cover region.

SIX! Ngidi was bound to miss one and Heinrich Klaasen makes him pay. Attempted slower yorker, goes wrong and ends in a gentle full toss for Klaasen. Heinrich gets up on his toes and lofts this over the deep extra cover fence for a biggie.

Full and on off, Abhishek Sharma drives this to sweeper cover for just a run.

Wide yorker, this time, pace on from Ngidi. Sharma stays deep inside the crease and opens his bat face, looking to guide this past the short third fielder, but misses. Rahul collects this behind the stumps and appeals for caught behind but the umpire turns it down. Axar sends this upstairs. Nothing on the UltraEdge as the ball passes the bat and it is actually the bat hitting the turf.

The Delhi Capitals take the review for caught behind. Lungi Ngidi and KL Rahul do not look entirely convinced, though, but DC want to have a look. Flat line on UltraEdge, and the spike comes up when the bat hits the ground. NOT OUT!

Really well bowled by Lungi Ngidi. Slower one, full and wide outside off. Abhishek Sharma shuffles across and looks to hit across the line but gets beaten.

Lungi Ngidi to bowl out now. 3-0-27-0 so far for the Proteas seamer.

FOUR! This was on the cards with T Natarajan persisting with yorkers. Yorker, around off, Heinrich Klaasen brings out the reverse ramp and hits this well over the fielder at short third for a boundary to close the over.

The left-arm pacer is giving nothing away. Yet another yorker, into the batter, around his pads. Abhishek Sharma moves back and chips this to sweeper cover for a single.

T Natarajan sticks to his plan and bowls another yorker, on off this time. Heinrich Klaasen tucks this to long on for a strike rotation.

Another slower yoker, around the pads. Abhishek Sharma flicks this gently towards the deep mid-wicket region for a run.

Full and into the batter, around middle and leg. Abhishek Sharma backs away and chips this over extra cover for a couple.

FOUR! Another clever stroke from Abhishek Sharma to get a boundary to start the 17th over. Slower one, short-pitched delivery, around off, Abhishek Sharma shimmies down the ground and carves this over the backward point fielder for four runs.

David Miller with a herculean effort in the deep. Slower one, full and wide outside off. Abhishek Sharma skips down the pitch, converts it into a full toss and lifts it high towards the long off fence. Miller runs to his left and knows that the ball is sailing past him, but he just reaches out and palms the ball into play with his left hand before falling over the ropes. Tristan Stubbs mops it up and it will only be a single.

Top work by David Miller. The third umpire is summoned for a check. It is confirmed as a clean effort.

A yorker now, pace on and on off and middle, Heinrich Klaasen stays back and plays a whippy drive through mid on for another single. Five runs off the over, can Ngidi end well?

Pitched full and wide outside off, Ngidi keeps it out of the swinging arc and Sharma drives it to deep cover for one.

Excellent bowling once again. Full and slow, just outside off, Sharma tries to come down the pitch and go at it but the ball dips on him and sneaks under the willow.

Ngidi gets it right this time. Another slower one, full and wide outside off. This time, Abhishek Sharma swings at it and misses, and it is deemed a fair delivery. However, Sharma has reviewed it. The third umpire has a look and replays indicate that some part of the ball is inside the new guideline, and Sharma has now burnt two reviews for wide calls.

WIDE! A cutter from Ngidi, pitched wide outside off and angles further away. Sharma lets it go and gets the wide call in his favour.

Will not carry but there's another fumble in the deep. Length ball, angled across off, Sharma shimmies down the pitch and slices it over the cover region. Sameer Rizvi comes in from the deep to mop it up but misfields and the batters pinch the second run as well.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Phew, we all need a breather, don't we? We have witnessed ball-striking of the highest order, and the Delhi Capitals need a moment to regroup. It is all looking ominous for DC, and they are in danger of being batted out of the game. They are one of the better death-bowling outfits in this competition, as they showed in the last game against RCB, and they will have to deliver again here. Axar Patel turns to Lungi Ngidi (2-0-21-0) after the break.

Flatter one on the pads, shovelled down to deep mid-wicket for one. Sharma looks for the second run but won't get it. 23 runs and a wicket off the over.

SIX! Abhishek Sharma is completely unfazed and continues on his merry way. Tossed up at the stumps, Sharma makes room and tees off as he sends the ball sailing beyond the long off fence for the 10th six of his innings.

The 79-run stand has been broken in an unusual fashion. Heinrich Klaasen is in next.

OUT! ISHAN KISHAN IS RUN OUT! Too much is happening out there at the moment. Flighted ball, full and angled into the leg pole. Abhishek Sharma stays leg side of the ball, reaches for it and drives it straight back. Nitish Rana goes low to his left on the follow-through to make a stop, but the ball deflects off his fingers onto the stumps at the non-striker's end, and Ishan Kishan is backing up out of his crease. A very unfortunate way to go, but DC now have a breakthrough.

Gone? Nitish Rana is celebrating, and Ishan Kishan has started to walk. Yes, the background check confirms Ishan's departure.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Oh, even that's gone to the fence, poor fielding in the deep from Tristan Stubbs. Full and straight, Sharma lunges ahead and jabs it straight down the ground. Tristan Stubbs at long off moves to his left, collects the ball in a jiffy, but tries to release it too quickly and ends up fumbling it onto the ropes.

SIX! What a way to bring up the HUNDRED from Abhishek Sharma. His second one in the IPL and the Orange Army goes wild as Sharma brings out his signature celebration as well. Short ball on leg stump, whipped away without a fuss and over deep square leg for another biggie.

SIX! Bludgeoned away. Fired in at the stumps, slightly full as well. Abhishek Sharma clears the front leg and smashes it back over the bowler's head for a six.

Nitish Rana returns to the attack. 3-0-32-0 so far for Rana.

Very full, around off, angling in, Sharma looks to go through the off side again, but toe ends it back past the bowler for a single.

FOUR! Crashed through the off side. Full and wide outside off, not wide enough as Abhishek is able to reach it and hammers it over covers for a boundary. Sharma is now into the 90s.

WIDE! Full-length delivery, well wide of the off stump. This time, Sharma stays put and leaves it alone.

Full and outside off, eased down to long off for a single.

DROPPED! Can you believe it? The Capitals have been brilliant in the outfield so far but Nitish Rana has put down Abhishek Sharma on 86. A low full toss, wide outside off, Sharma reaches for it and slices it away aerially towards the left of deep backward point. Rana covers the ground well, but the ball is dipping on him, and as he takes a tumble, the ball pops out of his hands. A single is taken.

Given as a fair delivery, but Abhishek Sharma feels it is too wide and takes the review. Sharma is early to move across to the off side, and T Natarajan uses this to his advantage by bowling a full ball, well wide outside off, even beyond the tramline and the batter leaves it alone. The question now is whether the ball is inside the new guideline or not, and replays confirm that it is.

A bit slower and into the pitch, around off, Kishan drags the pull aerially and over the mid-wicket region for a single.

SIX! Oh, that's not the way Mukesh wanted the over to end. A knee-high full toss on middle stump, Abhishek Sharma picks it up and clobbers it high over wide long on for a biggie. 13 off the over and the 150 is up for SRH as well.

Seam-up delivery, on a fullish length and on middle. Kishan shows the full face of the bat and hits it through mid off for another single.

Full and at the batter, Sharma gets a bit forward and plays it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! That's well anticipated by Abhishek Sharma. Dug in well short and over middle, Sharma backs away and carves it down to the vacant deep third fence for a boundary.

WIDE! That's too short. Slower bumper, wide outside off, and Sharma cannot reach it with his outstretched bat.

Mukesh looks to target the toes again but gets the ball swinging down the leg side. It is given a wide but the keeper, KL Rahul, feels it shouldn't be a wide. DC do review it. Seems close to the pads and UltraEdge shows that the ball did brush the pads. Well spotted by Rahul and it is going to be a fair delivery.

A good yorker to begin with. Mukesh lands this at the toes but Sharma stays leg side of the ball and gets the front leg out of the way, digging the ball out to extra cover.

Another bowling change? Yes. Mukesh Kumar comes back on to replace Kuldeep Yadav.

Excellent cricket all around. On a length, around the pads, Ishan Kishan leans onto it and flicks this by rolling his wrists, towards the gap between long on and deep mid-wicket. Pathum Nissanka covers good ground to his right and puts in a dive to keep it down to two.

Good length, around off, Abhishek Sharma cuts this to sweeper cover and takes a run.

Back of a length, around off, Ishan Kishan stays deep inside the crease and flat bats this to the right of Sameer Rizvi at long off for another strike rotation.

Pitched up, around off, Abhishek Sharma steps across the stumps and gently drives this to long off for a single.

WIDE! A little too short this time from Natarajan and Abhishek Sharma steps down and across and leaves it. Wide called by the umpire.

A good comeback from the left-arm pacer as T Natarajan bowls a wide yorker around off. Abhishek Sharma leaves it expecting a wide but the umpire calls it a fair one.

SIX! Sharma greets T Natarajan into the attack with a huge six. On a length, around the pads, Abhishek Sharma picks it up with a flick and deposits this into the stands towards the deep square leg region for a massive six.

No sign of T Natarajan yet, but we might see him soon. And, right on cue, Natarajan comes into the attack, replacing Nitish Rana.

FOUR! Kuldeep has been taken to the cleaners in this over. Kuldeep continues from around the stumps and bowls it full and onto the pads of Kishan. The SRH skipper muscles this past the left of Kuldeep and the ball races into the fence towards long on for four more runs.

Quicker one, on midlde and leg, Abhishek Sharma rolls this down to long on for a strike rotation.

SIX! He makes it look so easy. Flighted by Kuldeep, around off. Abhishek Sharma dances down and away this time and lofts this inside out over the cover region for a huge six.

Kuldeep comes around the stumps and bowls it full and on leg, Kishan sweeps this to deep backward square leg for one.

FOUR! Showing a wide array of stroke-play is Ishan Kishan. Tossed up, around middle and leg, Ishan Kishan goes down on a knee and sweeps this behind square to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

SIX! Kishan hits his first biggie of the contest. Fuller, around the pads, Ishan Kishan shimmies down and just flicks this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a biggie.

We have reached the halfway mark in the first innings. SRH are going strong at 104/1 and Abhishek Sharma just brought up 2000 runs in SRH colours in the last over. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav is back into the attack, but from the other end.

Tossed up, wide outside off, Abhishek Sharma shuffles across the stumps and cuts this towards backward point. Had Sharma left it, this would have been another wide.

A lot slower, around off, Ishan Kishan smashes this towards wide long off for one more. Rana is doing well to keep the ball away from the hitting arc of these destructive batters.

WIDE! Full and way too wide outside the tramline. Ishan Kishan leaves it and the umpire calls it a wide.

Full and wide outside off, Abhishek Sharma drives this through cover-point for one.

Short of a length, around off, a bit of pause by Rana before delivering this. Ishan hits this back to the right of the bowler and a misfield from Rana allows the single.

Quicker one, into the stumps, Sharma punches this to the right of long off and takes a run.

Rana bowls from around the stumps and tosses this wide outside off, Ishan Kishan presses in front and drives this through mid off for a single.

Surprising call as Axar Patel hands the ball back to Nitish Rana instead of Kuldeep Yadav. Rana's gone for 26 in his two overs so far, but there are still two left-handers in the middle and Axar wants to employ an off-spinner.

Under-cutter, around middle and off, Ishan Kishan steps deep inside the crease and tucks this through mid on for a single to open his account.

STRATEGIC BREAK! End of a mammoth 97-run opening stand for SRH, and this will bring the Capitals a lot of relief. However, Abhishek Sharma, who was the dominant partner in that stand, is still out there, and it will be interesting to see whether he continues going after the bowlers or looks to just rotate strike for a few overs. SRH have plenty of batting to come but for DC, this is the perfect time to use someone like Kuldeep Yadav and try and pick up a couple of more wickets. Let's see how the next phase of play pans out. With that said, the SRH skipper, Ishan Kishan, walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Head mishits one straight to Rizvi and has to walk back. Length dragged back a bit, around middle and leg, Travis rocks back and looks for that pull over the fielder at the deep mid-wicket region. Head fails to get enough power or height behind it and ends up finding Sameer Rizvi in that region. Rizvi makes no mistake and takes a good catch under pressure to break this opening stand of 97 runs.

SIX! Second biggie off the over, and this time, it is Head. A tad fuller, around middle and off, Travis Head collapses his back knee and slogs this over the fence towards the cow corner region for six more runs.

Short and on off, tapped to mid on for a single.

SIX! Hammered down the ground for a biggie. Tossed up, around middle and off, Abhishek Sharma stays leg side of the ball and smashes this up and over the bowler for a biggie towards the sight screen.

FIFTY FOR SHARMA! Full around the pads, Abhishek Sharma flicks this towards the deep mid-wicket region and comes back for the second. The throw comes in sharply towards the keeper's end with the batter looking out of his crease, but KL Rahul fails to gather this and Sharma celebrates his half-century.

Change of angle from Kuldeep. He comes from around the wicket and looks to push it across the batter. The length stays full, and Head extends his hands and gets low before lofting it back over the bowler's head. Tristan Stubbs charges across to his left and makes a tumbling stop. Two runs taken.

Oh, that could have gone anywhere! This is full and quick by Kuldeep, outside off. Head stays leg side of the ball and hangs back as he swings hard. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and the ball dribbles down the strip.

The length is pulled back and bowled slower through the air too. Abhishek reaches out and drags it to long on for a run. Moves to 49, does Sharma.

FOUR! Thumped! Floated up, closer to the off stump and slightly too full. Abhishek frees his arms and pumps it back over the bowler's head. A couple of bounces and it crashes into the ropes.

Nicely bowled! Kuldeep gives the ball a bit of air and serves it full. Abhishek lets it go but the ball sneaks just inside the guideline.

Starts on a good length, on off, a hint of turn. Head punches it away to deep point for a single.

7 runs off the 7th over. Will we see Kuldeep Yadav now? Yes, we will.

Slightly slower and shorter, on middle. Travis plays it off the back foot to long on and keeps the strike with a single.

Full and quick, on leg. This is flicked to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Just a single. At 87.5 kph, on a good length, around leg. Travis steps out and nurdles it in front of square on the leg side. They think about the second run but the fielders in the deep are quick to charge in.

A bit fuller but with a flatter trajectory. Travis goes on the back foot and gets on top of the bounce before punching it to the left of deep point for a brace.

Keeps it nice and straight, on a nagging length. Abhishek knocks it to long off. They cross.

Flat and short, on middle, Head presses back and whips it to long on for a single.

SRH openers dominate the Powerplay - Sunrisers Hyderabad have seized complete control early on, racing to a formidable 67 for no loss at the end of the first six overs. The opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have been sensational so far. While Abhishek is getting full value for his crisp strokeplay, Head has been striking the ball beautifully despite finding the fielders on a few well-timed shots. With the run rate soaring, Delhi Capitals find themselves under immense pressure and Axar Patel may be forced to introduce Kuldeep Yadav immediately or even himself, as DC desperately need their premier wicket-taker to break this partnership before the game slips away entirely. Axar Patel brings himself into the attack.

SIX! Wonderful use of the feet! The extra ball goes out of the park. Ngidi rolls his fingers over the ball, on a length, on middle. Sharma shimmies down the pitch and with a clean swing of the arms, he tonks it towards the sight screen for a six. At the end of 6 overs, SRH are 67/0.

Wide! Another off-cutter but this is sprayed beyond the tramline. Sharma gave the bowler the charge but eventually left it alone.

Ngidi attempts the off-cutter but it comes out as a low full toss, wide on off. Head extends his hands and chips it over extra cover for just a single.

Very full, going away. Abhishek steps out and digs it out to deep cover for one.

Full and at pace now, in line with the off stump. Sharma does not get the leverage to get under the ball and hits it along the ground to mid on.

Across off, full in length. Head has a big swing at it but he does not pick the change of pace. Swings early and smears it off the inner half wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Out comes the dipping yorker, on off. Abhishek jams it out through covers and crosses over.

SIX! All the way! Nitish gives the ball air, on a length, on middle. Head jumps out of the crease and is not entirely to the pitch of the ball. He pauses his bat swing for a brief moment before going through the line. Launches it over long on for his first six of the night. A punch in the air and a bit of a celebration with both hands raised high from the Aussie. 20 runs off the over.

Fine stop! Flatter and shorter, on off, Head hangs back this time and powers it away to cover, where David Miller makes a sharp diving stop to his right.

Wide! Rana probably predicted the charge from Head. He slants it across the left-hander, Travis halts the charge but still swings at it. The ball drifts beyond the tramline for a wide. The 50 comes up for SRH!

Pushed through, full and on leg. Head charges down the track and clips it behind square leg, but he can't get it past Lungi Ngidi.

Better from Rana! Slows it down and this is fuller, on middle. Abhishek gets his hands out in front and eases the drive wide of cover for a single.

SIX! Change of angle from Rana, but the result stays the same. Nitish drops it way too short, on middle. Sharma needs no second invitation as he waits for the ball to come to him and slams it over mid on for half a dozen more.

SIX! Lovely swing of the arms! Drifting in from around the wicket, too full, on middle. Abhishek backs away and opens up the front hip to go inside out over cover for a biggie.

Interesting stat on air - On the 13 occasions when both Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have fallen in the Powerplay, SRH have managed to win only 3 of those games. Nitish Rana will be bowling another one here.

A single to end the over, 10 off it. Full and wide outside off, Sharma reaches out, opens the bat face and glides it to the right of the diving cover-point fielder for one.

Should have been put away. A slower ball, bowled wide outside off, Sharma comes forward and ends up just patting the full toss to the cover fielder.

FOUR! Oh, nearly goes the distance. Another length ball, outside off, Abhishek Sharma waits back before putting his weight forward and launching it with minimal effort over mid off for another boundary.

Full-pitched delivery, lands it around off, Sharma heaves it off the inner half of the blade and across to mid-wicket.

FOUR! That didn't come out right from Ngidi's hand. Attempted dipping yorker of the slower variety but it ends up being a juicy full toss on middle. Abhishek waits well and angles it away past mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good length on off, Head hits it on the rise and through cover-point for a single.

Just the one over for Nitish Rana. Lungi Ngidi replaces him.

FOUR! Back of a length, slightly short and on leg stump, Sharma backs away a bit to open up the off side and slaps it away behind the point region to end the over with a boundary. SRH are 26/0 after 3 overs.

Well bowled. Abhishek Sharma charges down the pitch, giving himself a bit of room as well. Mukesh Kumar manages to adjust and bangs in a bumper over the leg stump. Sharma tries to thrash it away but is beaten for pace and bounce.

Fuller again, just outside off, punched down to long off for a single.

Pitched up, full and straight, driven straight back. Mukesh gets a hand on it on the follow-through, and the ball deflects away to hit the non-striker.

FOUR! No chance for Rizvi this time as the ball wins the race. Shorter again, on off, around chest height. Travis Head pulls it firmly off the back foot and gets it a bit in front of square leg this time to pick up a boundary.

A skiddy bumper from Mukesh, over off and middle, Head rocks back and pulls it down through square leg. Sameer Rizvi at deep backward square leg runs to his right and cuts it off, saving two runs.

FOUR! Up and over! Good length again, on middle, this one sits up a bit. Abhishek Sharma stands tall and whacks it over mid on for a boundary. Still, just 6 off the over.

Fired in at the stumps, the ball curves back in, Head looks to pull but gets an inside edge down to fine leg and collects a single.

Nice change-up again from Rana. This is bowled much slower and on off, Travis Head goes back to cut, but the ball goes under the blade. It pops out of KL Rahul's gloves, but there was no edge.

Oh, that was bowled seam-up by Rana. On a good length and on off, angles back in, Head watchfully keeps it out.

Nagging length and outside off again, tapped away past point for a single.

Top fielding! Floated up slower and shorter, outside off, Abhishek Sharma waits for the cut and hits it hard to the right of cover-point but Pathum Nissanka springs across to save a certain boundary. Dot ball.

A positive start for SRH. Well, this is interesting. With two left-handers at the crease, Axar Patel brings on Nitish Rana for his off-breaks. Abhishek Sharma's struggles against off-spin are well-documented.

Good work in the deep, this time from Tristan Stubbs. Good-length delivery, outside off, Head stays back and guides the ball away wide of deep backward point. Stubbs runs to his left and makes a tumbling stop, keeping it down to two. SRH are 9/0 after one.

A touch fuller again, around the off stump line, Head pushes it away towards extra cover.

FOUR! Oh, that's timed so well. The in-between length, around leg, nibbles a bit as well. Head gets his hands out in front and plays a wristy flick, getting it between mid on and mid-wicket and the ball runs away to the fence.

Back of a length again, but the line is much tighter on the off stump. Travis Head hops up and pushes it down in front of mid off.

Back of a length, angled across the left-hander, Sharma stands tall and smacks it to deep point for a single.

Up and running, are Abhishek Sharma and SRH. Fuller than a good length, swinging into the pads, Sharma clips it down to the left of deep backward square leg and picks up a couple of runs to get off the mark. Good work from Sameer Rizvi down there.

We are all set for the action to begin. It is a sea of orange, with SRH faithful repping their jerseys and waving the flags. The decibel levels go up as Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head walk out to open the innings. It has been a hit-or-miss season for Abhishek so far, with his returns fluctuating between single-digit scores and impactful contributions. He is coming off a 15-ball fifty in the last game, and the home side will be hoping that it marks the start of a consistent run. Mukesh Kumar will take the new ball for the Capitals. Mukesh to Abhishek with a slip in place. Let's play...

Words from the DC camp - Lungi Ngidi says that he would rate himself at a solid seven or seven-and-a-half so far this season. Ngidi adds that while he is generally happy with the results, there are a few games where he could have been sharper. Ngidi finds the IPL challenging due to the intense heat and the high-scoring nature of the wickets. Lungi acknowledges the interesting tactical battle that arises when opponents are also familiar training partners. Lungi concludes by saying that he is focused on carrying that momentum into tonight's match, where his primary goal is to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen in particular.

A quick chat with SRH's star all-rounder - Nitish Kumar Reddy says that he would like to finish the games well, as he was getting good starts but wasn't able to end well and is just trying to focus on finishing the game. On his bowling, NKR says that he has been preparing to do a job with the ball in different phases of the game, and it helps him to grow as an all-rounder. On which batter he likes in the opposition and would like to get the wicket of, Reddy says it is KL Rahul.

Impact sub options for DC - Tripurana Vijay, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera and Auqib Nabi.

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (C), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Nitish Rana (In for Auqib Nabi), Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan and Mukesh Kumar.

Impact sub options for SRH - Ravichandran Smaran, Praful Hinge, Liam Livingstone, Dilshan Madushanka and Harshal Patel.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (C), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora (WK), Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivang Kumar, Harsh Dubey (In for Praful Hinge), Sakib Hussain and Eshan Malinga.

The skipper of the Sunrisers Hyderabad - Ishan Kishan says this looks like a different deck to what they have played in the last two games. He informs that Harsh Dubey comes in, a call taken based on the slowness of the pitch. Ishan tells that Praful Hinge might also miss out, with Dilshan Madushanka likely to come in. Believes that the bowlers have done well, and it is more about execution and keeping the right mindset.

The captain of the Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel says that the luck during the toss is with them, but he would have been happier if they had won all the games as well. On playing his 100th IPL game for DC, he says that he wasn't aware of that milestone and hopes that the game goes their way. Axar mentions that the team balance depends on the situation, and managing such a big squad isn't easy, but the players also know that they try to select the best XI. Ends by informing that they have one change in the team as Auqib Nabi goes out and Nitish Rana comes in.

TOSS - Axar Patel is fit to feature tonight, and he is present alongside Ishan Kishan. DC have won all five tosses and bowled first each time. Will it go Axar's way again? The winning streak continues. Delhi Capitals elect to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Former Zimbabwean pacer, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, notes there are clouds around, though the hope is the rain stays away. Mentions that the square boundaries measure 63 metres and 68 metres, with the straight boundary at 75 metres. England's World Cup-winning captain, Eoin Morgan, shares that two of the last three games here have been won by sides batting first, which goes against last year's trend where chasing was more favourable. Eoin tells that SRH's top three have smashed 34 sixes this season, compared to just 12 from DC's top order. Observes that there is absolutely no grass on the surface, with a few cracks visible. He describes it as hard as a 'cat's head' and an absolute belter to bat on. Morgan feels chasing is the way to go and calls it a graveyard for bowlers. When asked by Pommie whether 220 will be a safe total, Eoin replies that you are never safe here. Further says that with one short side and a good surface to bat on, it ultimately comes down to mindset.

The battleground - This fixture is a fascinating clash of styles that will likely be dictated in the Powerplay and the middle overs. On a typically flat, high-scoring Hyderabad deck, SRH will look to blast DC out of the game early with their boundary-heavy template. Conversely, Delhi will bank on their experienced bowlers like Lungi Ngidi and Kuldeep Yadav to dry up the runs and force mistakes from SRH’s aggressive hitters. If DC can navigate the early storm and unleash their middle order against SRH's young pace unit in the death overs, they could snatch a vital away win, however, if SRH batting gets going, it may be a long night for the visitors.

Looking for consistency and power - Delhi Capitals arrive with renewed confidence after a 6-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Their season has been a story of contrasting halves, a strong start with two wins was followed by back-to-back defeats before their recent resurgence. Unlike their opponents for this game, DC’s top order has been far more conservative and doesn't have that imposing six-hitting quality amongst the squad. For Delhi to secure two points in Hyderabad, they need a more settled number three and greater intent from stars like KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka. Their strength lies in an experienced middle-order engine room featuring David Miller and Tristan Stubbs, supported by the wicket-taking prowess of Lungi Ngidi. A concern surrounding Axar's availability is also something to keep an eye on, as the DC skipper was retired hurt in the previous game.

Finding rhythm amidst inconsistency - Sunrisers Hyderabad have endured a roller-coaster campaign so far, marked by an aggressive but high-risk approach. After a sluggish start with only one win in their first four games, the Orange Army has found momentum at the right time, entering this contest on the back of consecutive victories over the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings. While their top order remains the most explosive in the league, the team needs more collective stability to avoid exposing the middle order too early. To climb higher, SRH must see Travis Head return to his best form and ensure their relatively inexperienced bowling attack, led by the standout Eshan Malinga, maintains the discipline shown in recent home wins.

A crucial mid-table showdown - Hello and welcome to all the fans tuning in for what promises to be a pivotal mid-season encounter between two teams locked in a fierce battle. As the league stage approaches its halfway mark, both sides find themselves on 6 points. Currently, Sunrisers Hyderabad sit in 4th place due to a superior Net Run Rate, while Delhi Capitals are breathing down their necks in 5th place, though notably with a game in hand.

... MATCHDAY ...

Evenly poised, ready to break away - Match 31 of the Indian Premier League 2026 brings together Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, with both sides locked on 6 points. The only separator? Delhi have played a game less. It's been a mixed campaign so far for both teams, but they arrive here on the back of confidence-boosting wins, DC snapping a two-match losing streak against the defending champions, while SRH are eyeing a hat-trick of victories. SRH's firepower - explosive yet unsettled! Sunrisers Hyderabad's season has revolved around bursts of brilliance. Abhishek Sharma has hit form at just the right time, highlighted by a stunning 15-ball fifty in the previous game, while Travis Head is still searching for consistency despite his aggressive intent. Skipper Ishan Kishan started the season with a bang but has tapered off and will be eager to rediscover that rhythm. The most reliable pillar, though, has been Heinrich Klaasen - 283 runs in 6 games, three fifties, and remarkably, not dismissed under 30 even once this season. He's found strong support in Nitish Kumar Reddy, with the duo stitching together two record-breaking fifth-wicket stands, stabilizing innings when needed. Yet, there's a clear concern, once the top three fall, the scoring rate dips. Players like Aniket Verma, Salil Arora and Liam Livingstone haven't quite delivered as expected, leaving gaps in the middle order. Young guns lead the bowling revival - If batting has been inconsistent, SRH's bowling has found momentum in recent games. Two young Indian quicks, Sakib Hussain and Praful Hinge, made a dream debut against Rajasthan, ripping through the top order to leave them at 9/5, both finishing with four-wicket hauls. They followed it up with wickets in the next game as well, setting the tone early. The spin duo of Shivang Kumar and Harsh Dubey has quietly impressed, combining for 10 wickets with control and precision. In the absence of Pat Cummins, Eshan Malinga has stepped up brilliantly, picking up 8 wickets and using reverse swing to devastating effect. It's a bowling unit that is beginning to click at the right time. DC's redemption arc and middle-order calm - Delhi Capitals' last game felt like a turning point. David Miller found redemption after that costly moment against Gujarat, finishing off the chase against RCB with 13 needed off 4 balls, a knock that would have brought immense relief. At the top, KL Rahul has been steady with 168 runs in 5 games, including a crucial fifty in the last match, while Pathum Nissanka has provided quick starts but struggled for consistency. Sameer Rizvi, after two match-winning knocks earlier, has seen a dip in returns. The constant, however, has been Tristan Stubbs, their top scorer and a calm presence in the middle order. The number three slot remains a concern, something DC will want to address soon. Spin control and pace variations - Under Axar Patel, DC have found balance with the ball. He, alongside Kuldeep Yadav, forms a strong spin duo, both picking up 5 wickets each. The pace unit has also played its part. Mukesh Kumar and Auqib Nabi have been effective upfront, while T Natarajan has been used smartly through the middle and death overs. The standout, though, has been Lungi Ngidi, 7 wickets so far, with his deceptive slower balls troubling batters consistently. History slightly in favour of orange - There's very little to separate these two sides historically, with SRH just edging the head-to-head 13-12. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, runs have been on offer this season, with an average first innings score around 190, and pacers having a bigger say in outcomes. Team form (Last 5 completed games, recent first) - SRH - WWLLW | DC - WLLWW. What to expect? Two teams, same points, contrasting journeys, and momentum on both sides. SRH will bank on their explosive top order and rising bowling unit, while DC will rely on their composure and finishing ability. In a contest this tight, it might just come down to which middle order holds its nerve better because everything else is almost perfectly balanced.