source : BCCI
In a game that rewrote IPL records, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) stunned Punjab Kings (PBKS) with one of the most dominant chases in tournament history. Chasing a towering target of 246, SRH cruised to victory by 8 wickets with 9 balls to spare, thanks to a sensational century by Abhishek Sharma. His unbeaten 141 off 55 balls not only sealed the win but also made him the highest-scoring Indian batter in IPL history, eclipsing KL Rahul’s previous record.
Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer’s explosive 82, looked set for a comfortable win after piling up 245/6. Iyer’s knock was supported by strong cameos from Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and a late-innings blitz from Marcus Stoinis, who hit four consecutive sixes off Mohammed Shami. Their batting fireworks lit up the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, but it was just the beginning of the night’s entertainment.
SRH’s response was nothing short of brutal. Travis Head set the tone with a fiery 66 off 37, putting immediate pressure on PBKS bowlers. His 171-run opening stand with Abhishek came in just 12.2 overs, flattening PBKS hopes before they could react. Head’s departure did little to stop the carnage, as Abhishek continued to punish the bowlers with relentless aggression.
Despite Harshal Patel picking up 4 wickets for PBKS, SRH never looked under pressure. Once Heinrich Klaasen joined Abhishek in the middle, the finishing touches were applied with ease. Klaasen’s calm 21* off 14 made sure there were no late twists, as the hosts crossed the line with time and wickets to spare. SRH’s chase now ranks as the second-highest successful run chase in IPL history.
The match was a pure showcase of fearless T20 cricket, and Abhishek Sharma’s heroics will be talked about for years. While PBKS will look to tighten their bowling in future games, SRH have clearly sent a message to the rest of the league. With form, firepower, and flair on their side, they’re shaping up to be serious title contenders this season.
