PBKS skipper Iyer blames dropped catches as SRH wins by 33 runs in IPL 2026
Synopsis
Punjab Kings' collapse against Sunrisers Hyderabad wasn't about batting — it was about sloppy hands. With Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen both dropped early and going on to score fifties, PBKS handed SRH the match before their bowlers even took the field. Cooper Connolly's unbeaten 107 was a lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal fielding display that exposed the cracks in an otherwise promising season.
Key Takeaways
Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Punjab Kings by 33 runs in the 49th match of IPL 2026 on 6 May at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal .
Shreyas Iyer attributed the loss to dropped catches of Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen early in SRH's innings.
Kishan scored 55 and Klaasen contributed a half-century as SRH crossed 200 .
Cooper Connolly remained unbeaten on 107 for PBKS but lacked support; Punjab needed 106 off 31 balls at one stage.
PBKS lost both openers and Iyer within the first seven balls and six overs respectively, leaving the chase beyond reach.
Shreyas Iyer pinned Punjab Kings' 33-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad squarely on poor fielding, acknowledging that early mistakes in the 49th match of IPL 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, proved decisive. "It was a bit too much because we dropped catches at the start. The wicket kept getting slower. They played good cricket and showed us how to win," the PBKS skipper said after the loss on 6 May.
SRH's batting dominance fuelled by dropped catches
Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen capitalised on PBKS's fielding lapses, both scoring half-centuries to propel Sunrisers past the 200-run mark. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head had set the tone early during the powerplay with aggressive batting, while Kishan's quickfire 55 and Klaasen's fluid knock made the target formidable for the visitors.
Punjab's chase derailed early
PBKS's pursuit never gained traction. SRH's bowlers struck within the first seven deliveries, dismissing both opening batsmen, and removed Iyer during the powerplay. At 57 for 3 after six overs, the required run rate had already spiralled, leaving Punjab chasing an increasingly steep target.
Connolly's unbeaten 107 goes in vain
Cooper Connolly produced a composed, unbeaten 107 in a counterattacking partnership with Marcus Stoinis, but lacked sufficient support from the lower order. Iyer lauded the young batter's temperament: "Connolly is phenomenal. His mindset is top-notch. He has a knack for scoring big runs in pressure situations." At one juncture, Punjab needed 106 runs off 31 balls—a near-impossible ask that sealed the outcome.
Season-defining moment for PBKS
Despite an encouraging start to the tournament, Iyer acknowledged the broader concern: "I feel we got off to a great start in the tournament, and everyone was in a good space... If we continue with the same form, that won't help us." The defeat exposed structural weaknesses in fielding and middle-order resilience that PBKS must address to remain competitive.
Point of View
But words won't fix what is becoming a pattern: PBKS has fielding discipline issues that no amount of aggressive batting from Cooper Connolly can mask. If this team is to salvage its season, the slip cordon and catching positions must tighten immediately.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Punjab Kings lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026?
PBKS lost by 33 runs primarily due to dropped catches of Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen early in SRH's innings. Both batters capitalised on the reprieve to score half-centuries, pushing Hyderabad past 200 and making the chase unattainable. Additionally, PBKS lost both openers and skipper Iyer within the first six overs of their chase.
How many runs did Cooper Connolly score in the match?
Cooper Connolly remained unbeaten on 107, playing a composed knock under pressure. However, he did not receive adequate support from the lower order, and Punjab fell short by 33 runs despite his individual brilliance.
What did Shreyas Iyer say after the match?
Iyer acknowledged that dropped catches at the start of the game set a negative tone. He said, "It was a bit too much because we dropped catches at the start. The wicket kept getting slower. They played good cricket and showed us how to win." He also praised Connolly's mindset and temperament under pressure.
What was Punjab Kings' chase situation?
PBKS lost both openers and Iyer within the first seven balls and six overs respectively, leaving them at 57 for 3. At one stage, they needed 106 runs off 31 balls — a near-impossible target that effectively decided the match.
