On a day marked by the rewriting of batting records, Abhishek Sharma emerged as a standout performer, scoring 141 runs off just 54 balls—the highest score ever achieved by an Indian player in IPL history. Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chased down Punjab Kings’ total of 245 runs, winning by 8 wickets with 9 balls remaining, in an exhilarating display of power hitting. Having been at the bottom of the points table prior to this match, SRH made a remarkable comeback on a pitch that favored their aggressive batting style. After reaching his century, Sharma held up a sign that read, “This one is for Orange Army,” as the home fans were treated to an impressive display of boundaries.
Punjab Kings score and impossible looking target
Punjab Kings, having chosen to bat first, immediately embraced an aggressive strategy. The reputations of both Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami were challenged as the young pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya dominated the early overs. They amassed 53 runs in just three overs, marking Punjab Kings’ first fifty-plus opening partnership of the season and the third fastest in IPL history. The pitch proved to be conducive to innovative batting, and both Arya and Singh demonstrated their ability to anticipate the ball’s behavior. In response to the onslaught, SRH introduced Harshal Patel, who managed to contain the scoring slightly with his variations and understanding of the pitch dimensions. Arya eventually fell to a slower delivery that was angled towards the shorter side, skying a catch to midwicket, which Nitish Reddy caught expertly while retreating. Following this wicket, Cummins delivered an eight-run over, which helped SRH regain some control, although Harshal was hit for 15 runs in the final over of the powerplay.
In the two overs right after the powerplay, SRH managed to slow down the scoring, conceding no boundaries. Eshan Malinga, who replaced Kamindu Mendis for SRH, made an impact in his first over by dismissing Prabhsimran, who mishit a back-of-length delivery to mid-off. However, Prabhsimran’s quickfire 42 off 23 balls had already set a strong foundation for Punjab Kings. Captain Shreyas Iyer then took charge, scoring a rapid fifty off just 22 balls, his fastest in IPL history. Iyer and Nehal Wadhera revitalized the innings, each hitting a six off Malinga. Iyer also targeted the leg-spin of Zeeshan Ansari, who had started well, conceding 20 runs in his third over. In addition to his signature lofted shots, Iyer executed a reverse sweep, keeping the spinner on his toes. Malinga later bowled Wadhera with a yorker, and although Wadhera did not opt for a review on an LBW call, replays suggested it might have missed the off stump. Nevertheless, the 73-run partnership for the third wicket ensured that PBKS maintained a strong scoring rate.
Iyer continued to be the powehouse for PBKS towards the back end of the innings. He hit four fours off Malinga in the 17th over taking PBKS past the 200-run mark. But SRH hit back through Harshal who first foxed Glenn Maxwell with a loopy, slow yorker and then had Iyer chipping to short third man, bringing an end to a 36-ball 82. Patel finished with 4-42 on a good batting surface, and proved to be SRH’s standout bowler of the night. But just as SRH were thinking about a strong finish, their hopes ended in a blistering assault from Marcus Stoinis against Mohammed Shami in the final over. He finished the innings with four consecutive sixes as Shami conceded 27 to finish with figures of 4-0-75-0.
Abhishek Sharma's record shattering ton wins it for SRH
Abhishek was fortunate to escape dismissal twice during the powerplay; the first opportunity was a challenging catch at short cover that was missed, and the second was successfully caught, but bowler Yash Thakur had overstepped. These moments of luck were crucial for him in an otherwise explosive innings, where he scored 49 runs out of the 83 that SRH amassed in the first six overs. Punjab Kings faced a setback when their key player, Lockie Ferguson, sustained an injury and had to leave the field after delivering just two balls. In contrast, Travis Head remained a passive observer but contributed with five boundaries against Arshdeep Singh over two overs. However, it was Abhishek who truly intensified the pressure, striking four fours in an over from Marco Jansen before targeting Thakur as well. SRH could not have asked for a better beginning to their substantial chase.
Abhishek reached his fifty but was dropped again, this time by Yuzvendra Chahal off his own bowling, a mistake that proved to be extremely costly. He continued to build momentum, showing no signs of slowing down. His century came off just 40 balls as he began to exploit new areas during the middle overs, outsmarting Punjab’s strategies. While the straight fields were crowded, Sharma adeptly maneuvered across the crease, sending the ball to the fine leg boundary with a variety of shots that left the bowlers bewildered. Whenever a ball was within his striking range, he was capable of clearing the boundary. In doing so, he achieved the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history. This performance overshadowed Head, who nonetheless reached his fifty off 31 balls, including consecutive sixes off Glenn Maxwell. Their partnership of 171 runs became the highest for any wicket this season. By the time Head was dismissed by Chahal at long on, SRH was already in a commanding position, and the situation only became more favorable as Abhishek continued his relentless assault.
Abhishek’s 55-ball 141 ended when he finally hit Arshdeep to deep midwicket and walked out to a deserving standing ovation. But SRH’s boundary-hitting never ended as they took only two more overs to wrap up an incredible chase – the second-highest ever in IPL history. Heinrich Klaasen provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 21 off 14.
SCORECARD: Punjab Kings 245/6 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 82, Prabhsimran Singh 42; Harshal Patel 4-42) lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad 247/2 in 18.3 overs (Abhishek Sharma 141, Travis Head 66) by 8 wickets.
