The 45th match of IPL 2026 will see Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. This IPL 2026 Match Prediction heavily favours SRH, who are in red-hot form and pushing strongly for a top-four finish.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been one of the most dominant teams this season, currently sitting third on the table with a five-match winning streak. Their aggressive style of play has made them one of the most dangerous batting sides in the league.
The top order, led by Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, has been explosive, consistently giving fast starts. Heinrich Klaasen has been the backbone of the middle order with over 400 runs this season. Their bowling has also improved, with captain Pat Cummins leading from the front alongside Eshan Malinga and Jaydev Unadkat.
Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, have struggled for consistency this season and are placed near the bottom of the table. Despite recent wins, they still face an uphill battle.
Their batting depends on Rinku Singh and young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Captain Ajinkya Rahane has provided starts but often slows down in the middle overs. Their bowling unit, especially the spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, has not been as effective this season.
Details of Match 45 of IPL 2026
| Match | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League 2026 |
| Venue | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Date | 3 May 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM (IST) & 10:00 AM (GMT) |
SRH vs KKR Current Form Ahead of Match 45 of IPL 2026
SRH vs KKR Head to Head T20 Record Ahead of Match 45 of IPL 2026
| Metric | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 31 |
| SRH Won | 11 |
| KKR Won | 20 |
| Tied/No Result | 0 |
| SRH Highest Score | 228/4 |
| KKR Highest Score | 208/7 |
| SRH Lowest Score | 113/10 |
| KKR Lowest Score | 101/10 |
SRH vs KKR Player Battles For Match 45 of IPL 2026
1. Abhishek Sharma vs Sunil Narine
This is a key Powerplay battle. Abhishek has been in outstanding form and has scored quickly against Narine in past encounters.
Narine will look to control the scoring early, but if Abhishek gets going, SRH can dominate the Powerplay.
2. Heinrich Klaasen vs Varun Chakravarthy
This middle-overs battle is crucial. Klaasen has been one of the best players against spin this season.
Varun has managed to dismiss him a few times, but Klaasen’s aggressive approach could once again put pressure on KKR’s bowling.
3. Pat Cummins vs Ajinkya Rahane
This captain vs captain battle could shape the innings. Cummins has been in good rhythm with the ball, while Rahane needs to improve his scoring rate.
If Cummins can dismiss Rahane early, KKR could struggle to build momentum.
SRH vs KKR Toss Prediction for Match 45 of IPL 2026
The Hyderabad pitch is expected to be flat and batting-friendly, with scores above 200 becoming common this season. As this is an afternoon game, there will be no dew factor.
Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first and set a big target, as recent matches here have been won by teams defending totals. The pitch may slow slightly in the second innings, bringing spinners into play.
SRH vs KKR Winner Prediction – Who Will Win Today’s Match 45 of IPL 2026?
Based on current form, team balance, and home advantage, Sunrisers Hyderabad are clear favourites to win this match. Their batting lineup is in top form, and they have consistently posted big scores.
Kolkata Knight Riders will need strong performances from both their top order and bowlers to compete. If their spinners can control the middle overs and their batters build partnerships, they have a chance.
However, with superior momentum and a more balanced squad, Sunrisers Hyderabad are more likely to win this contest.