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KKR vs SRH IPL 2026: Klaasen half-century, Travis-Abhishek cameos power SRH to victory over Knight Riders

KKR vs SRH IPL 2026: Klaasen half-century, Travis-Abhishek cameos power SRH to victory over Knight Riders

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) put up a united effort, including Nitish Kumar Reddy’s all-round showing and Heinrich Klaasen’s useful half-century, to record a convincing 65-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and open its account on the Indian Premier League (IPL) table at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.

After home skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss on his 200th appearance and inserted the visitors in, SRH relied on its flamboyant openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma’s breathtaking knocks and Klaasen and Nitish Kumar’s crucial contributions down the order to post a formidable 226 for eight.

In its first home match, KKR was all out for 161 to the disappointment of a packed house.

SRH’s southpaw opening duo unleashed carnage on a batter-friendly surface as the tourists raced to 84 for one in the PowerPlay.

Head (46) showcased his trademark fireworks on both sides by punishing Blessing Muzarabani and Vaibhav Arora, while Abhishek (48) plundered 25, hammering two sixes over long-on and three fours on the off-side, off Varun Chakaravarthy to dent the spinner’s confidence.

Abhishek Sharma fell just two short of his half-century after joining with Travis Head to give SRH a rapid start.
| Photo Credit:
K. R. DEEPAK

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Abhishek Sharma fell just two short of his half-century after joining with Travis Head to give SRH a rapid start.
| Photo Credit:
K. R. DEEPAK

KKR fought back well. Head, who offered a hard chance on 34, miscued Kartik Tyagi to mid-on. KKR bowlers made further inroads and decelerated SRH’s run rate.

Muzarabani varied his length and pace to have stand-in skipper Ishan Kishan and Abhishek caught on the ropes. Anukul Roy and Sunil Narine bowled tidily in the middle overs.

For SRH, Klaasen (52) and Nitish Kumar (39) steadied the boat with an 82-run stand. Arora took two-in-two in the 19th over.

ALSO READ:IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings looks for early reset as buoyant Punjab Kings visits

Klaasen executed some big hits before falling to Muzarabani, who impressed with four wickets.

KKR stuttered in its reply as SRH bowlers, including Nitish Kumar (2/17), implemented their plans well. Finn Allen’s belligerence earned KKR 25 runs in the first over, but the Kiwi’s stay was short-lived. Rahane fell cheaply and Cameron Green was run out as KKR struggled at 74 for three.

Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi (52) showed maturity as he gathered runs, with the aid of fine cuts, to get his second consecutive half-century and keep the host’s chances alive. His run out followed by others’ dismissals hampered KKR’s progress.

Published on Apr 02, 2026

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#KKR #SRH #IPL #Klaasen #halfcentury #TravisAbhishek #cameos #power #SRH #victory #Knight #Riders

Athletics v San Diego Padres
Athletics v San Diego Padres

PEORIA, ARIZONA – MARCH 14: Shotaro Morii #18 of the Athletics bats during the eighth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium on March 14, 2025 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Diamond Images/Getty Images

#Shotaro #Morii #set #MLB #3way #player #journey">Shotaro Morii set to begin his MLB 3-way player journey  PEORIA, ARIZONA – MARCH 14: Shotaro Morii #18 of the Athletics bats during the eighth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium on March 14, 2025 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) Diamond Images/Getty Images  #Shotaro #Morii #set #MLB #3way #player #journey

Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez has taken his role as a ​footballer from the small screen to the football pitch after signing a professional contract ​with U.S. second-tier side El ⁠Paso Locomotive FC.

Fernandez, who played youth football in Mexico before stepping away from the sport at ‌the age of 15 due to a knee injury, portrayed Dani ‌Rojas in the hit Apple TV+ ‌show ⁠about a British team with a ⁠U.S. coach.

On the sidelines of his acting career, Fernandez, 35, had also been pursuing a return to ​professional football and ‌trained with Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire’s reserves earlier this year.

Before signing for El Paso on Tuesday, he underwent ‌a two-month trial with the USL ​Championship club which also included a pre-season appearance.

“(Football) has always been ⁠a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has ‌taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart,” Fernandez said on the club website.

“Maybe, I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams.”

El Paso, founded in 2018, is fourth in ‌Group B of the USL Championship standings.

“Cristo is ​a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our ⁠forward line,” the club’s head coach Junior Gonzalez ⁠said.

“His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room ‌allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as ​a club.” 

Published on May 13, 2026

#Ted #Lasso #actor #Cristo #Fernandez #signs #secondtier #football #club">Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez signs for US second-tier football club  Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernandez has taken his role as a ​footballer from the small screen to the football pitch after signing a professional contract ​with U.S. second-tier side El ⁠Paso Locomotive FC.Fernandez, who played youth football in Mexico before stepping away from the sport at ‌the age of 15 due to a knee injury, portrayed Dani ‌Rojas in the hit        Apple TV+ ‌show ⁠about a British team with a ⁠U.S. coach.On the sidelines of his acting career, Fernandez, 35, had also been pursuing a return to ​professional football and ‌trained with Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire’s reserves earlier this year.Before signing for El Paso on Tuesday, he underwent ‌a two-month trial with the USL ​Championship club which also included a pre-season appearance.“(Football) has always been ⁠a huge part of my life and identity, and no matter where life has ‌taken me, the dream of competing professionally never truly left my heart,” Fernandez said on the club website.“Maybe, I’m just a crazy man with crazy dreams.”El Paso, founded in 2018, is fourth in ‌Group B of the USL Championship standings.“Cristo is ​a great addition to our roster, adding another attacking threat to our ⁠forward line,” the club’s head coach Junior Gonzalez ⁠said.“His passion for the game and leadership qualities for our locker room ‌allow us to continue growing the positive culture we strive for as ​a club.” Published on May 13, 2026  #Ted #Lasso #actor #Cristo #Fernandez #signs #secondtier #football #club

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