Pat Cummins commended Eshan Malinga and Sakib Hussain after Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 55-run win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The SRH captain expressed his admiration for the young bowlers’ performances in IPL 2026. Malinga and Sakib played crucial roles in SRH’s bowling attack, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
“They’ve been fantastic,” Cummins stated, highlighting the impact of Malinga and Sakib in disrupting RCB’s momentum. Malinga, the leading wicket-taker for SRH this season, showcased exceptional skills with 19 wickets in 14 matches. Debutant Sakib also impressed with 15 wickets in just 10 games, proving instrumental in SRH’s journey to the playoffs.
The victory against RCB placed SRH on par with Gujarat Titans and RCB at 18 points each. However, SRH’s net run rate prevented them from securing a top-two finish. Cummins acknowledged the challenges posed by the target set by RCB and the favorable conditions in Hyderabad.
“It’s a pretty good wicket. I knew a lot of things had to go our way,” Cummins remarked on the close match. Despite the pressure, SRH’s strategic efforts led to a significant win. RCB is set to face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, while SRH will compete in the Eliminator against one of Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, or Kolkata Knight Riders.
