IPL 2026 SRH vs KKR Preview: Pitch, Weather Report, Head To Head, Playing 11, Prediction. Sunrisers Hyderabad face Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 45 of Indian Premier League 2026. The match takes place on May 3 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad at 3:30 PM IST and carries strong playoff implications. Hyderabad enters with strong momentum and multiple recent wins in the tournament. Kolkata has struggled for consistency and must win to stay in contention.
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Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Hyderabad pitch has produced high-scoring matches throughout the season. Batters enjoy true bounce and fast outfield conditions on this surface. The average score has crossed the 200-run mark regularly. Teams batting first have found more success in afternoon matches here. Spinners may get some grip as the pitch slows down later.
Weather conditions will remain hot and dry in the afternoon fixture. Temperatures are expected to hover between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius. Humidity will remain low with no rain expected during the match. Dew is unlikely, making batting first a preferred strategy.
Head-to-Head Record
Kolkata holds a clear advantage in overall 31 head-to-head encounters. They have won 19 matches compared to Hyderabad’s 11 victories. One match between these teams ended without a result. However, Hyderabad has dominated recent meetings between both sides.
Probable Playing XI
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins, Harsh Dubey, Praful Hinge, Eshan Malinga, Salil Arora.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane, Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Anukul Roy, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi.
Streaming Details
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India. Fans can stream the game online using the JioHotstar app. Live coverage will be available in multiple languages for viewers.
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Match Prediction
Sunrisers Hyderabad appear stronger based on current form and team balance. Their batting lineup has consistently delivered big totals this season. Home conditions also provide them a clear advantage in this contest. Kolkata needs a complete performance to challenge the in-form Hyderabad side. Expect a high-scoring game with Hyderabad starting as slight favourites.
Prediction: KKR to win the match.