On Friday, May 23, Eshan Malinga produced a moment of brilliance that swung momentum firmly in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s favour during their high-scoring clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Chasing a daunting 232-run target, RCB were well-placed at 167/3 after 15 overs, with Rajat Patidar and Jitesh Sharma showing positive intent.
Both batters were set—Jitesh unbeaten on 22 and Patidar cruising at 17. But just when Bengaluru looked set to accelerate, Eshan Malinga stepped up with a game-changing run-out. On the fourth delivery of the 16th over, Malinga bowled a sharp yorker on off stump. Patidar managed to dig it out, pushing it gently beside the pitch.
Looking to pinch a quick single, both batters hesitated but eventually committed. Malinga, alert to the opportunity, sprinted to his left, collected the ball cleanly, and fired a direct throw at the non-striker’s end. The result was a direct hit, and Patidar found himself well short of his ground—a brilliant piece of athleticism and awareness from the young pacer.
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Adding to RCB’s woes, Eshan Malinga struck again on the last ball of the same over, this time accounting for the dangerous Romario Shepherd. The Sri Lankan seamer tempted Shepherd into a mistimed return shot and made no mistake with the caught-and-bowled opportunity.
Brilliant Bowling 🤝 Excellent Fielding 🫡
Eshan Malinga turns things around for #SRH with a double-wicket over 🧡
Updates ▶ https://t.co/sJ6dOP9ung#TATAIPL | #RCBvSRH | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/ICjk0zQ3PJ
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 23, 2025
By the end of the 16th over, RCB had slumped to 174/5, with Jitesh Sharma and Krunal Pandya left to salvage the chase. Earlier, SRH had piled on 231/6 thanks to a spectacular unbeaten 95 from Ishan Kishan. The opener anchored the innings superbly, smashing 7 boundaries and 5 sixes in his 48-ball stay.
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Abhishek Sharma’s quickfire 34 also gave Hyderabad a flying start, while RCB’s Romario Shepherd impressed with 2 wickets in his limited spell. Eshan Malinga’s clutch moments—his sharp run-out and calm under pressure—may well be remembered as the turning point in this intense IPL showdown.
