Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 33 runs in a high-scoring IPL clash on Wednesday night. The win helped SRH climb to the top spot on the IPL points table with 14 points from 11 games, while Punjab Kings slipped to second place with 13 points from 10 matches.

Batting first after being put in by PBKS, SRH entertained the fans with some delightful stroke play. Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen both scored quick-fire fifties to take the team’s total above 200.

SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma took the attack to the Punjab bowlers in the powerplay and set the tone for the middle order.

Kishan scored a quick-fire 55 while his partner also notched up a blistering fifty as SRH posted a strong 234 in the allotted 20 overs. Punjab’s poor fielding with several dropped catches also helped SRH’s cause.

Batting second, both Punjab openers were dismissed within the span of seven deliveries, with Australian pacer Pat Cummins leading the charge. The visitors were struggling at 57 for 3 in the first six overs of their chase.

While Marcus Stoinis and Cooper Connolly tried their best to rescue the Punjab innings, the high required rate kept playing a key role as batters kept getting out.

Connolly continued to fight, first anchoring the innings and later accelerating to reach a well-made century, finishing unbeaten on 107. Despite his valiant effort, the target proved too steep in the end.