IPL 2026: Cummins hails Malinga and Sakib after SRH's 55-run win vs RCB
Synopsis
Pat Cummins called it a 'captain's dream' — and the numbers back him up. Debutant Sakib Hussain and pace sensation Eshan Malinga, with a combined 34 wickets between them, have quietly become SRH's most dangerous weapon in IPL 2026. Their 55-run demolition of RCB keeps the Sunrisers alive in the playoffs, even if NRR denied them a top-two spot.
Key Takeaways
SRH beat RCB by 55 runs in Hyderabad on 23 May , defending a total of 255 for 4 .
Eshan Malinga is SRH's leading wicket-taker this season with 19 wickets in 14 matches .
Debutant Sakib Hussain has taken 15 wickets in just 10 games .
The pair combined for 8-0-64-3 against RCB, disrupting the chase from the powerplay.
SRH , RCB , and Gujarat Titans are all tied on 18 points ; NRR separates them.
SRH will play the Eliminator on 27 May ; RCB face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on 26 May .
Pat Cummins heaped praise on young pace duo Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain after Sunrisers Hyderabad crushed Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs in Hyderabad on Friday, 23 May, in a high-stakes IPL 2026 league-stage encounter. The SRH skipper admitted he had 'learned a lot' from watching the two bowlers operate throughout the season.
Malinga and Sakib Dismantle RCB's Chase
Defending a formidable total of 255 for 4, Malinga and Sakib were pivotal in the powerplay, sharing three overs between them and claiming one wicket apiece to check Venkatesh Iyer's early aggression for RCB. Their combined figures of 8-0-64-3 proved decisive in restricting the visitors and sealing the win by 55 runs.
What Cummins Said
'They've been fantastic,' Cummins said after the match. 'I've actually learned a lot from those guys. The way Eshan's bowled all season, especially in that powerplay, makes him the form bowler of the competition. He's been mixing up his slower balls and different deliveries, and of course, Sakib's been great too. It's a captain's dream.'
Cummins also acknowledged the pitch conditions made a tighter finish plausible. 'It's a pretty good wicket. I knew a lot of things had to go our way,' he said. 'It got close. I think they were focused on reaching that score [166], so we tried different things, but it's still a big win.'
Season Stats That Tell the Story
Malinga is now SRH's leading wicket-taker in IPL 2026, with 19 wickets from 14 matches. Debutant Sakib has been equally impressive, picking up 15 wickets in just 10 games. Their consistent performances across the league phase have been central to SRH's push into the playoffs.
Playoff Picture After the Result
The victory left SRH level on 18 points with Gujarat Titans and RCB, but an unfavourable net run rate denied them a top-two finish. SRH had needed to restrict RCB to under 166 to leapfrog them on NRR — a target that ultimately proved beyond reach on the Hyderabad surface.
RCB now advance to Qualifier 1 on 26 May against Gujarat Titans. SRH will enter the Eliminator on 27 May, facing one of Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, or Kolkata Knight Riders — whichever side secures the final playoff berth. For SRH, the bowling unit led by Malinga and Sakib will be their biggest weapon heading into the knockout stage.
Point of View
They are the reason SRH are in the playoffs at all. Cummins, one of the world's premier fast bowlers, admitting he has 'learned a lot' from them is a remarkable signal of how rapidly these two have matured. The concern for SRH heading into the Eliminator is structural: tied on 18 points but squeezed on NRR, they enter the knockouts without the cushion of a top-two finish, meaning one bad day ends their campaign. Whether Malinga and Sakib can replicate their league-phase dominance in a do-or-die game is the question that will define SRH's 2026.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the SRH vs RCB IPL 2026 match on 23 May?
Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs in Hyderabad on 23 May, defending a total of 255 for 4. The win kept SRH in playoff contention with 18 points.
How did Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain perform against RCB?
The pair shared three powerplay overs and took one wicket each, finishing with combined figures of 8-0-64-3. Their spell disrupted RCB's early momentum and was central to SRH's 55-run victory.
What are Malinga and Sakib's wicket tallies in IPL 2026?
Eshan Malinga leads SRH's bowling charts with 19 wickets in 14 matches, while debutant Sakib Hussain has taken 15 wickets in just 10 games. Together they have been SRH's most consistent bowling pair this season.
What is SRH's playoff scenario after the win over RCB?
SRH are tied on 18 points with RCB and Gujarat Titans but missed a top-two finish due to net run rate. They will play the Eliminator on 27 May against one of Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, or Kolkata Knight Riders.
When do RCB play next in IPL 2026 playoffs?
RCB will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on 26 May. A win there puts them directly into the IPL 2026 final.
