SRH are the favourites to beat KKR in IPL 2026 Match 45. The Sunrisers Hyderabad host the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad, in a 3:30 PM IST afternoon clash.
SRH ride a five-match winning streak and sit third on the points table with 12 points. KKR, at eighth with just 5 points from 8 matches, are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. With Pat Cummins back leading the SRH attack and Abhishek Sharma holding the Orange Cap (425 runs in 9 innings), the home side carries serious momentum into this contest.
IPL 2026 Match 45 SRH vs KKR Match Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 45, IPL 2026 (TATA IPL) |
| Teams | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Date | Sunday, May 3, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| SRH Captain | Pat Cummins |
| KKR Captain | Ajinkya Rahane |
| SRH Position | 3rd (12 points, 6W, 3L in 9 matches) |
| KKR Position | 8th (5 points, 2W, 5L, 1NR in 8 matches) |
IPL 2026 Match 45 Odds for SRH vs KKR
The betting market leaves little room for debate. SRH are strong favourites across every major platform, and rightly so.
Five consecutive wins, home advantage at Uppal, and a batting lineup that just chased down 244 at the Wankhede (source: ESPNcricinfo, April 29, 2026) will do that. KKR’s odds reflect a team that has won just twice in eight outings. The toss market is nearly even, though, being an afternoon game, the dew factor is minimal.
| Platform | SRH Win Odds | KKR Win Odds | Toss Odds (SRH) | Toss Odds (KKR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.55 | 2.40 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| Stake | 1.52 | 2.45 | 1.85 | 1.90 |
| 4RABET | 1.58 | 2.35 | 1.90 | 1.85 |
| BetVibe | 1.54 | 2.42 | 1.88 | 1.88 |
IPL 2026 Match 45 Toss Prediction for SRH vs KKR
This is a 3:30 PM start, and that changes the toss equation.
Unlike evening games at this venue, dew is not expected to be a major factor. The pitch tends to slow down in the second innings of afternoon matches, giving spinners more grip and making the ball harder to hit freely.
In the only afternoon match played at this venue in the IPL 2026 Season (SRH vs LSG, Match 10), the team batting first lost, but the total was a below-par 156. The bigger picture: afternoon conditions slightly favour the team batting first, especially if they post 200+.
Expect both captains to lean towards batting first. The absence of heavy dew removes the biggest incentive for chasing.
Toss Prediction: The toss winner will opt to bat first.
SRH Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 45
SRH is the form team of the tournament right now. Five wins in a row, including chasing down 244 at the Wankhede with 8 balls to spare, tells you everything about this batting lineup’s confidence and firepower.
Pat Cummins returned to lead the side against Rajasthan Royals (Match 36) and has stayed on since. His presence has transformed the bowling unit. Eshan Malinga holds the Purple Cap with 15 wickets in 9 matches, and Praful Hinge has been a revelation with his slingy pace.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travis Head | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Abhishek Sharma | Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Ishan Kishan (wk) | WK-Batter |
| 4 | Heinrich Klaasen | WK-Batter |
| 5 | Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-rounder |
| 6 | Salil Arora | All-rounder |
| 7 | Pat Cummins (c) | Bowler |
| 8 | Harsh Dubey | Bowler |
| 9 | Eshan Malinga | Bowler |
| 10 | Praful Hinge | Bowler |
| 11 | Sakib Hussain | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Aniket Verma / Liam Livingstone | Batter / All-rounder |
Key Players to Watch (SRH)
Abhishek Sharma leads the Orange Cap race with 425 runs in 9 innings (source: Business Standard, April 29, 2026). His strike rate this season has been blistering.
Heinrich Klaasen is second on the run charts with 409 runs in 9 innings. His unbeaten 65 off 30 against MI sealed SRH’s fifth straight win. At Uppal, Klaasen’s power game is at its most dangerous.
KKR Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2026 Match 45
KKR’s season has been a struggle. Just 2 wins from 8 matches (one via Super Over) leaves Ajinkya Rahane’s side eighth on the table with 5 points. They need to win virtually every remaining match to stay in playoff contention.
The biggest issue? Consistency. Rinku Singh’s heroic 83* off 51 against LSG (Match 38) saved KKR in a Super Over thriller, but the team has too often relied on individual brilliance rather than collective performances.
Cameron Green, signed for a record Rs 25.20 crore (source: Wikipedia, 2026 KKR season), has shown flashes but hasn’t consistently delivered the all-round impact KKR need. His bowling availability remains a concern.
Predicted XI:
| Rank | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ajinkya Rahane (c) | Batter (Opener) |
| 2 | Finn Allen (wk) | WK-Batter (Opener) |
| 3 | Cameron Green | All-rounder |
| 4 | Angkrish Raghuvanshi | Batter |
| 5 | Rinku Singh | Batter |
| 6 | Ramandeep Singh | All-rounder |
| 7 | Sunil Narine | All-rounder |
| 8 | Varun Chakravarthy | Bowler |
| 9 | Vaibhav Arora | Bowler |
| 10 | Matheesha Pathirana | Bowler |
| 11 | Blessing Muzarabani | Bowler |
| 12 (Impact) | Anukul Roy / Manish Pandey | All-rounder / Batter |
Key Players to Watch (KKR)
Varun Chakravarthy remains KKR’s trump card. The mystery spinner has been their most consistent performer and could exploit an afternoon pitch that offers more grip.
Rinku Singh is KKR’s best batter this season. His 83* against LSG showed he can single-handedly rescue an innings. But one man cannot carry an entire batting order.
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report, IPL 2026
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is Hyderabad’s batting paradise, and it does not disappoint.
Stadium Details:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Capacity | 55,000 (approx.) |
| Pitch Type | Flat, hard surface with true bounce |
| Average 1st Innings Score (IPL 2026) | 190-200 runs |
| Square Boundaries | 63-66 metres |
| Straight Boundaries | 70-73 metres |
| Best Strategy (Afternoon) | Bat first (limited dew factor) |
What to expect from the surface on May 3:
Flat and true: The pitch is made from local clay and silt, producing a hard deck with consistent bounce. Batters can trust the surface and play through the line from ball one.
Early pace bounce: Pacers may get slight movement in the first 2-3 overs, especially with the Kookaburra still new. Once the ball softens, stroke-makers take over.
Spinners need to be clever: The pitch does not turn much, but in an afternoon game, the surface tends to slow down in the second innings, giving spinners more grip. This could suit Varun Chakravarthy.
Short square boundaries: At 63-66 metres, even mishits can clear the rope. SRH’s power hitters (Klaasen, Abhishek, Head) thrive here.
Afternoon game = minimal dew: Unlike evening fixtures, this 3:30 PM start means dew won’t be a significant factor. Bowlers will maintain grip throughout both innings.
Hyderabad Weather Report, May 3, 2026
Summer heat in Hyderabad is no joke, but the forecast is clear for cricket.
| Weather Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Condition | Partly cloudy, mostly sunny |
| Temperature | 35°C – 38°C (afternoon) |
| Humidity | Low to Moderate (~30-40%) |
| Wind Speed | Light winds, 8-12 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Minimal during match hours |
| Dew Factor | Very low (afternoon match, dry surface) |
| Rain Probability | Less than 5% during match hours (3:30 PM – 6:45 PM IST) |
| Match Interruption Risk | Very Low; a full 40-over contest is expected |
Players should brace for extreme heat. Hydration and fitness will play a role, particularly for fast bowlers running in during the hottest part of the day.
Dream11 Team for SRH vs KKR
SRH vs KKR Head-to-Head Last 5 Matches
Overall Head-to-Head (IPL History):
| Matches Played | SRH Wins | KKR Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 11 | 20 | 0 |
KKR dominate this rivalry historically with 20 wins in 31 meetings (source: myKhel.com). However, form matters more than history, and SRH’s current run is the best in the tournament.
Last 5 Matches:
| Match | Date | Winner | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2026 (Match 6) | April 2, 2026 | SRH | 65 runs | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| IPL 2025 | May 25, 2025 | SRH | 110 runs | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| IPL 2025 | April 3, 2025 | KKR | 80 runs | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| IPL 2024 Final | May 26, 2024 | KKR | 8 wickets | M.A. Chidambaram Stadium |
| IPL 2024 Qualifier 1 | May 21, 2024 | KKR | 8 wickets | Narendra Modi Stadium |
Rivalry Highlights Worth Knowing:
SRH’s highest-ever IPL total of 278/3 came against KKR in 2025. That innings showed what happens when this batting lineup is allowed to free its arms.
KKR won the 2024 IPL title by beating SRH in both Qualifier 1 and the Final. That dominance in high-pressure moments still haunts the Orange Army.
However, SRH have won the last two encounters between the sides (IPL 2025 and IPL 2026), suggesting the tide has turned.
Our Prediction: SRH Have Better Chances to Win Against KKR in IPL 2026 Match 45
Bottom line up front: SRH win, setting a target in the 200+ range and defending it at Uppal.
Here is why this leans heavily in SRH’s favour.
The Case for SRH
Momentum is everything in the IPL, and SRH have it in truckloads. Five consecutive wins, including chasing down 244 against MI (source: ESPNcricinfo, April 29, 2026), is the kind of form that breaks oppositions before the toss.
Abhishek Sharma (425 runs) and Heinrich Klaasen (409 runs) are the top two run-scorers in IPL 2026 (source: Business Standard, April 29, 2026). Having both in the same lineup is a nightmare for any bowling attack, let alone KKR’s struggling unit.
Pat Cummins’ return has steadied the bowling. Since his comeback in Match 36, SRH have won both games. Eshan Malinga’s 15 wickets lead the Purple Cap race, and Praful Hinge has added genuine pace to the attack.
Home advantage at Uppal is real. SRH knows these conditions inside out. The short square boundaries play perfectly into their power-hitting philosophy.
The Case for KKR
Varun Chakravarthy, in an afternoon game, could be KKR’s trump card. The pitch tends to slow down with minimal dew, and Varun’s variations could trouble SRH’s middle order.
Rinku Singh is capable of winning any game single-handedly. His 83* against LSG in the Super Over thriller proved he has the temperament for impossible situations.
Matheesha Pathirana’s death bowling adds an X-factor. His yorkers and slower balls at 140+ km/h can be hard to pick on a slowing afternoon pitch.
But let’s be honest. KKR needs too many things to go right. Their batting has been inconsistent, their bowling has leaked runs, and their campaign has been marred by collapses.
Final Verdict
SRH should win this convincingly. The gap between these two sides is significant right now. SRH sit third with 12 points; KKR sit eighth with 5. That’s not just a points difference; it’s a confidence gap.
SRH’s batting is the most destructive in the tournament. Their bowling, with Cummins back, has found its rhythm. And Uppal’s flat deck is their playground.
KKR will need a miracle, a Rinku special, or a Varun masterclass to pull this off. Miracles happen in the IPL, but you wouldn’t bet your money on one.
Prediction: SRH win.
This prediction is based on publicly available squad data, injury reports, venue stats, and historical records as of April 30, 2026. Official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
