SRH opt to bat first against KKR; Reddy ruled out with illness in IPL match 45
Synopsis
Sunrisers Hyderabad's decision to bat first reflects confidence in their aggressive approach, but Nitish Reddy's absence due to illness adds uncertainty to their middle-order depth. With Smaran Ravichandran's debut and KKR reshuffling their lineup, this match 45 encounter could hinge on how SRH's younger brigade handles the pressure without one of their key all-rounders.
Key Takeaways
SRH won the toss and elected to bat first against KKR in IPL 2026 match 45 on 3 May at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium .
Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out due to illness; Smaran Ravichandran makes his debut for SRH .
Harshal Patel replaces Harsh Dubey in SRH 's XI.
KKR bring in Finn Allen for Tim Seifert and Manish Pandey for Ramandeep Singh .
Pat Cummins cited the pitch as favourable for batting, expecting a high-scoring match.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) won the toss and elected to bat first against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 45th match of IPL 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday, 3 May. The decision came after SRH captain Pat Cummins assessed the pitch as favourable for batting, with expectations of a high-scoring encounter.
SRH's team changes
Sunrisers Hyderabad made two alterations to their playing XI ahead of the match. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out due to illness, prompting Smaran Ravichandran to make his debut for the franchise. Additionally, Harshal Patel replaced Harsh Dubey in the batting order, signalling a shift in the team's composition.
KKR's lineup adjustments
Kolkata Knight Riders also made two changes to their squad. Finn Allen came in for Tim Seifert, while Manish Pandey was included in place of Ramandeep Singh. The moves reflected KKR's tactical recalibration following a mid-tournament break.
What the captains said
After winning the toss, Cummins outlined SRH's strategy: "We'll bat first. Pitch looks good, and it's very hot. We'll bat and post a total. The younger players have been fantastic; the older ones have held their own. I think we've always gone past 220, barring once. We know we won't win every single game, but this style is working well for us."
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, speaking after losing the toss, said the break had allowed his team to reflect on strengths and weaknesses. "It's all about winning those small moments," he noted, highlighting the importance of momentum in the latter stages of the tournament.
Playing XIs and impact substitutes
SRH XI: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora (wk), Aniket Verma, Smaran Ravichandran, Pat Cummins (c), Shivang Kumar, Harshal Patel, Eshan Malinga.
KKR XI: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Cameron Green, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Anukul Roy, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Tournament context
This match marks a critical juncture in IPL 2026, with both teams competing for playoff positioning. SRH's aggressive batting approach has consistently pushed them past the 220-run mark this season, while KKR aims to regain rhythm following the mid-tournament break. The absence of Reddy, a key all-rounder, may test SRH's depth in the middle order.
Point of View
SRH's bench strength looks genuine. If not, KKR's bowling unit, particularly Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, will exploit the inexperience. The mid-tournament break has reset both teams, but SRH's tactical flexibility will be tested today.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nitish Reddy miss the SRH vs KKR match?
Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out due to illness, according to SRH captain Pat Cummins. His absence prompted Smaran Ravichandran to make his debut for the franchise.
Who replaced the injured players in SRH's XI?
Smaran Ravichandran made his debut for SRH in place of Nitish Reddy, while Harshal Patel replaced Harsh Dubey in the playing XI.
What changes did KKR make to their squad?
KKR brought in Finn Allen in place of Tim Seifert and included Manish Pandey for Ramandeep Singh, reflecting tactical adjustments following the mid-tournament break.
Why did SRH choose to bat first?
SRH captain Pat Cummins stated that the pitch looked good and was conducive to batting. He noted that SRH has consistently posted totals above 220 this season, barring one occasion, and wanted to leverage their aggressive batting approach.
Which match number is this in IPL 2026?
This is the 45th match of IPL 2026, played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders on 3 May at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
