Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 55 runs in their last league stage match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. However, despite this big win, SRH could not finish in the top-2. In the match played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday (May 22), SRH scored 255 runs at the loss of 4 wickets. To reach the top-2, it was necessary to restrict RCB to 166 or below but Rajat Patidar (56 runs in 39 balls) and Krunal Pandya (41 not out in 31 balls) dashed his hopes.
Patidar-Krunal did not go on to chase the target despite scoring 75 runs in the powerplay. He batted carefully and ensured that RCB remained in the top-2, which would give it 2 chances to defend its title. RCB will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. Whereas SRH will have to play eliminator. SRH’s dream of ending the title drought has definitely suffered a setback by not coming in the top-2, but the coincidence of the 2016 season can give it a big boost.
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What is the coincidence of 2016?
In IPL 2016, SRH won the title by defeating RCB. That season SRH finished third in the points table. It made it to the finals by winning Eliminator and Qualifier 2 and then captured the title by defeating RCB by 8 runs. They are the only team to become IPL champion by playing eliminator. This season too SRH is playing eliminator.
SRH has finished at number-3 in the current season. They have the same number of 18 points as RCB and Gujarat Titans. She simply lagged behind in net run rate. SRH also finished third in the 2016 season. At that time, SRH and RCB had the same number of points and the Orange Army was lagging behind in net run rate. Interestingly, that season also, along with RCB, there was a team in the top-2, which was associate from the state of Gujarat. Then Gujarat Lions had topped the table.
RCB and SRH started their campaign against each other in the 2016 season. Something similar has happened this season also. Another coincidence is that in 2016, SRH and RCB had won 1-1 in their head-to-head encounter. Even in the current season, both the teams have defeated each other in 1-1 matches. These are some such coincidences, due to which SRH seems to be becoming the champion again.
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Similarities between 2016 and 2026 seasons for SRH:
2016 season
- Remained at number-3 in the points table
- Could not finish in top-2 due to falling behind RCB in NRR
- Started their campaign against RCB
- Lost 1 match and won 1 match against RCB
- australian captain
2026 season
- Remained at number-3 in the points table
- Could not finish in top-2 due to falling behind RCB in NRR
- Started their campaign against RCB
- Lost 1 match and won 1 match against RCB
- australian captain
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