In a batters’ world barring a few blips, bowlers have been smashed around the park in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. But, quality bowlers have managed to find ways to produce magic with the ball. One of them is Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Eshan Malinga who is currently in possession of the purple cap. In a run-fest at Wankhede Stadium where the score of 244 was chased down with ease, Eshan Malinga stood out. He conceded just 29 runs from four overs and got the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav. SRH skipper Pat Cummins has been in awe of Malinga and credited him for SRH’s wins of late.
“I think I said last game, it's these high-scoring games, there's not a lot in it for the bowlers. But you do feel like, even at the end there, if you nail one really good yorker, it can still be the difference in the match. So bowlers - and really good bowlers - you know, like Eshan (Malinga) in our team, he's a big reason why we've been winning these games as well. I think he's got the purple cap as well. You can still have a huge impact. Everything's going well at the moment, so keep hanging in there,” Cummins said in the post-match presentation.
SRH opener Abhishek Sharma who got the orange cap lauded the bowlers too despite conceding 243/5. He understands it is a tough job being a bowler. He lauded Malinga, skipper Cummins and other bowlers for stepping up.
“Yeah, I think big credit to the bowlers, the way they are bowling, the way they've stepped up in the last few games. I think that's the reason we are winning the games. Because if you see batters, as a batting unit, we always try to give that start or probably chase down the total in the powerplay or maybe in the death overs as well. But if you see as a bowler, it's a tough job and you have to, you are actually asking a lot of from them. And by this, I think the way Malinga, Paddy and other bowlers, they've been doing it very simple, just sticking to the plan and the way I think Pat (Cummins) is talking to the bowlers, that's really effective and as a bowling unit, they've stepped up a lot,” Abhishek said
Malinga on top, SRH at no.3
Malinga has 15 wickets from nine games at an average of 18.93 in the ongoing season. He has an economy rate of 9.16 runs per over.
SRH's fifth win on the trot helped them surpass Rajasthan Royals (RR) and take the third spot. Their next clash is against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 3 in home conditions.