IPL 2026: RCB skipper Patidar admits '255 was a huge score' after 55-run loss to SRH
Synopsis
SRH posted an imposing 255/4 — fuelled by Abhishek Sharma's 22-ball 56, Ishan Kishan's 79, and Klaasen's 51 — and then defended it with ease, handing RCB a 55-run thrashing. Skipper Patidar admitted the target was simply too high, raising sharp questions about RCB's bowling depth heading into the playoff picture.
Key Takeaways
SRH defeated RCB by 55 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium , Hyderabad, on 23 May .
SRH posted 255/4 in 20 overs; Ishan Kishan top-scored with 79 off 46 balls ; Abhishek Sharma hit 56 off 22 balls .
Heinrich Klaasen smashed 51 off 24 balls and Nitish Kumar Reddy added a late 29 off 12 balls .
Venkatesh Iyer top-scored for RCB with 44 off 19 balls ; Rajat Patidar contributed 56 off 39 balls .
RCB's pacers conceded more than 12 runs per over ; Rasikh Salam took 2 wickets as the most economical option.
Eshan Malinga led SRH's bowling with 2 for 33 .
Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar acknowledged his side were outclassed in every department after a 55-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday, 23 May. Chasing a mammoth 255/4, RCB never truly threatened and were bowled out well short of the target in what proved to be a commanding SRH victory in their final league match.
SRH's Batting Masterclass
Winning the toss and electing to bat, SRH produced a stunning top-order display to post 255/4 in 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a ferocious 56 off just 22 balls, while Travis Head chipped in with a brisk 26 off 16 deliveries. The middle order then took over, with Ishan Kishan anchoring the innings with a scintillating 79 off 46 balls and Heinrich Klaasen adding a rapid 51 off 24 balls. A late cameo of 29 off 12 balls from Nitish Kumar Reddy pushed SRH beyond the 255-run mark.
RCB's Chase Falls Apart
Venkatesh Iyer gave RCB a blazing start with 44 off 19 balls, but the early momentum evaporated once he, Virat Kohli, and Devdutt Padikkal were dismissed in quick succession. Patidar himself contributed a solid 56 off 39 balls, and an unbeaten 41 from Krunal Pandya narrowed the deficit slightly, but the required run rate remained beyond RCB's reach throughout.
What Patidar Said
'The top five SRH batters batted brilliantly, they dominated us,' Patidar said after the match. 'The top priority was to be on the front foot, but 255 was a huge score, it was very high.' The RCB captain also acknowledged the surface played a role in the second innings. 'Not really, the slow bouncer was gripping. They executed the bouncers and yorkers quite well,' he said when asked whether the pitch had slowed down. 'Hyderabad is a good batting wicket but the moment you start delivering the slow bouncer, it becomes tough for a batter.'
Bowling Breakdown
RCB's pace attack had a torrid evening, with no frontline bowler conceding fewer than 12 runs per over. Rasikh Salam was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets, while Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya claimed one each. For SRH, Eshan Malinga led the bowling with figures of 2 for 33, supported by wickets from Sakib Hussain and Travis Head.
What This Means
The result underlines SRH's status as one of the most destructive batting sides in the tournament, with their top order capable of taking any total out of reach inside the powerplay. For RCB, the defeat raises questions about their bowling depth and the team's ability to defend or chase imposing totals. Both sides will now await the outcome of the remaining fixtures to determine their playoff fate.
Point of View
But it also exposes a structural problem: RCB have no reliable plan B when a chase goes beyond 220. Their pace attack, expensive at over 12 runs per over collectively, is a liability on flat Hyderabad tracks. SRH, by contrast, are doing something tactically sophisticated — using their powerplay to set totals that psychologically break the opposition before a ball is bowled in reply. For RCB to go deep in the playoffs, they need a bowling recalibration, not just a batting resurgence.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the RCB vs SRH IPL 2026 match on 23 May?
Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 55 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on 23 May. SRH posted 255/4 and bowled RCB out well short of the target.
Who were the top performers for SRH in this match?
Ishan Kishan top-scored with 79 off 46 balls, while Abhishek Sharma hit a rapid 56 off 22 balls at the top. Heinrich Klaasen added 51 off 24 balls and Nitish Kumar Reddy contributed 29 off 12 balls to push SRH beyond 255.
What did RCB captain Rajat Patidar say after the defeat?
Patidar admitted that 255 was 'a huge score' and conceded SRH's top five 'dominated' RCB. He also noted that SRH's use of slow bouncers made the surface difficult for batters in the second innings.
How did RCB's bowlers perform against SRH's batting lineup?
RCB's pace attack had a difficult evening, with no frontline bowler conceding fewer than 12 runs per over. Rasikh Salam was the most effective with 2 wickets, while Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya took one each.
Who were the top scorers for RCB in the chase?
Venkatesh Iyer gave RCB a fast start with 44 off 19 balls, and Rajat Patidar scored 56 off 39 balls. Krunal Pandya remained unbeaten on 41, but the required run rate was too steep throughout the chase.
