Malinga really kicked off the Purple Cap race and swung the SRH versus DC game in Hyderabad with a really strong two-wicket burst. He got rid of Nitish Rana and David Miller with two balls in a row, leaving Delhi Capitals at 109 for 4, and the SRH fans at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium very excited.
The young bowler from Sri Lanka first tricked Rana, who was doing well with 57 runs off 30 balls, with a slower ball that bounced nicely. Abhishek Sharma then made a good sliding catch at long-on to complete the dismissal. On the very next ball, Miller edged a good-length ball onto his own wickets for a ‘golden duck’ (being out first ball).
Double strike flips the chase
That over completely changed how people were feeling and how the match was going. With Rana out and Miller dismissed immediately after, Delhi’s batting line-up was suddenly looking weak. Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi attempted to steady things, but all the advantage had clearly gone to SRH.
Here are the turning points of the over:
– Rana was out because of a cleverly disguised slower ball while on 57.
– Miller went next ball, getting a golden duck.
– Delhi fell to 109 for 4 as SRH gained momentum.
Match-defining spell and result
Malinga didn’t stop with those two quick wickets. He finished with excellent figures of 4 wickets for 32 runs in four overs, getting Rana, Miller, Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma out and really damaging Delhi Capitals’ attempt to reach the SRH score.
SRH defended their very big total of 242, thanks in part to Abhishek Sharma’s batting, and won by a huge 47 runs. Malinga’s wickets at crucial times made sure Delhi never got anywhere near their target.
Purple Cap chase intensifies
Malinga now has 12 wickets in the competition after taking four against Delhi Capitals. He’s one of the top wicket takers in the 2026 IPL and is only one wicket behind Anshul Kamboj of Chennai Super Kings, so the Purple Cap competition is very close.
Expert view on Malinga’s method
Mitchell McClenaghan, a former fast bowler, said the young player is improving, and mentioned his accuracy (lines and lengths) and how he makes the ball look.
McClenaghan said, “He seems to have gotten used to the IPL a little more. He’s a bit more confident in himself, and he’s getting the wickets, and that’s probably what’s making the difference.”
He continued, “I think in previous matches he was perhaps bowling a bit more towards the batter and wasn’t hitting the length we’ve seen in the last couple of games. So, as well as being able to change his speed, he’s now bowling the change of pace on the right line.”
“We’ve seen a few wickets in this tournament, especially in the last two games, hitting that wide line on a good length with that slow ball. So, he has great skill.”
From Ratnapura to IPL stage
Malinga’s improvement has been quick. He played for Sivali College in Ratnapura and first played for Ragama Cricket Club in 2022 in all forms of the game, including his first-class debut in September that year, and his first List A and T20 matches.
Because he did well consistently in domestic cricket, he got a place on the national team in 2025, and then a chance to play in the IPL with SRH. He got attention with match-winning bowling performances against Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, showing he can control the ball, change his pace, and remain calm when under pressure.
As SRH go further into the season, Malinga’s ability to take wickets at important moments is becoming a key part of the team. He has the Purple Cap in his sights and is bowling well, and the young bowler has turned potential into being a strong performer, one important over at a time.
