Mumbai: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins said he always believed the daunting 244-run target against Mumbai Indians (MI) was chaseable, crediting his side’s explosive batting unit after a commanding six-wicket win in their IPL 2026 clash at the Wankhede Stadium.

SRH chased down 243 with eight balls to spare in a high-scoring thriller, reinforcing their growing reputation as one of the most dangerous batting line-ups this season. Cummins admitted the target looked stiff at first, but confidence in his players and the batting-friendly surface made the difference.

Cummins confident despite steep target

Speaking after the match, Cummins highlighted how modern T20 cricket has redefined what constitutes a “big total”.

“Tough to start with, but knowing our batting line-up and the pitch, a few things had to go right but I thought it was chaseable,” Cummins said at the post-match presentation.

He also pointed out that chasing even at rates above 12 runs per over has become realistic in today’s game, especially with aggressive batters and favourable conditions.

“Now, even 12 an over, you can chase as a batting unit, so you have to reset your expectations as a bowling unit,” he added.

Explosive start sets the tone

SRH’s chase was built on a blistering opening partnership between Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. The duo added 129 runs in just 52 balls, dismantling MI’s bowling attack during the powerplay and beyond.

Head smashed 76 off 30 balls, including eight sixes and four boundaries, while Abhishek contributed a rapid 45 off 24 deliveries. Their fearless strokeplay ensured SRH stayed well ahead of the required run rate from the outset.

Cummins praised the openers for their aggressive mindset, stating that their wide range of shots makes them extremely difficult to bowl to on flat surfaces.

Klaasen finishes in style

While the openers laid the foundation, Heinrich Klaasen once again played the finisher’s role to perfection. The South African wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten on 65 off 30 balls, guiding SRH across the line with composure.

Klaasen, who was named Player of the Match, said the team approached the chase with calculated aggression despite facing a strong MI bowling attack.

“The wicket was good. They had a quality bowling attack, so we had to take a chance and see if we could make light work of it,” Klaasen said.

He also credited Head and Abhishek for putting the bowlers under pressure early, which allowed the middle order to play with greater freedom.

Youngster Salil Arora added the finishing touch with a quickfire unbeaten 30 off just 10 balls, ensuring there were no late nerves in the chase.

MI bowlers struggle under pressure

Mumbai Indians’ bowlers endured a difficult outing, with none managing to maintain an economy rate below 10 runs per over. Even Jasprit Bumrah, usually the spearhead of MI’s attack, had an off day, conceding 54 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket.

The inability to apply sustained pressure allowed SRH to dominate proceedings throughout the innings.

Earlier, MI had posted a formidable 243/5, powered by Ryan Rickelton’s unbeaten 123 off 55 balls. His innings, along with contributions from Will Jacks (46 off 22) and Hardik Pandya (31 off 15), had put MI in a strong position.

However, their efforts were overshadowed by SRH’s clinical chase.

SRH rise, MI remain under pressure

With this victory, SRH climbed to third place in the IPL 2026 points table, collecting 12 points from nine matches. Their consistent performances and strong batting depth have made them one of the leading contenders for the playoffs.

Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, continue to struggle near the bottom of the table, sitting in ninth position. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, MI will need a swift turnaround in both bowling and fielding departments.

Conclusion

Pat Cummins’ confidence in his batting unit proved well-founded as SRH chased down one of the highest totals in IPL history with remarkable ease. The match once again highlighted the evolving nature of T20 cricket, where even scores beyond 240 are no longer safe.

As IPL 2026 progresses, SRH’s fearless approach and batting firepower could prove decisive, while MI must urgently address their shortcomings to stay in contention.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)