Abhishek Sharma Penalised for Code of Conduct Breach as Sunrisers Hyderabad Secure Dominant Win Over KKR

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Abhishek Sharma has been sanctioned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after being found guilty of breaching the IPL 2026 Code of Conduct during his team’s emphatic victory over Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday night.

Abhishek has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee and has also been handed a demerit point. Match officials determined that the opening batter violated Article 2.3 of the Code of Conduct, a charge which he subsequently accepted.

The penalty comes despite a strong performance from the left-hander, who played a key role in SRH’s commanding total of 226/8. Abhishek scored a brisk 48 off 21 deliveries, providing an explosive start alongside Travis Head. The opening pair added 82 runs in just 5.3 overs before Head was dismissed for 46 by Kartik Tyagi.

Abhishek struck four boundaries and four sixes before being dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani. He was later supported by Heinrich Klaasen, who continued the momentum with a fluent half-century, while Nitish Kumar Reddy also contributed with a quickfire 39 off 24 balls.

For Kolkata Knight Riders, opener Finn Allen provided an aggressive start, scoring 24 runs in the first over off David Payne. However, SRH’s bowling attack responded strongly, with veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat returning impressive figures of 3 for 21 as KKR were bowled out for 161 in 16 overs.

With this comprehensive win, SRH opened their account for the season after a defeat in their opening match against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The result lifted them to sixth place on the table, while KKR slipped to ninth after suffering their second consecutive loss.