SRH Complete Second-Highest IPL Run Chase, Defeat Punjab Kings by 8 Wickets

Sunrisers Hyderabad recorded a breathtaking chase at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday, overwhelming Punjab Kings by a staggering 247/2 to achieve an eight-wicket victory. It also turned out to be the second-highest successful run chase in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 141 off 55 balls spurred the hosts to chase down PBKS’ daunting total of 246 for 18.3 overs.

The pursuit broke Rajasthan Royals’ 226/2 against the same team in 2020. Interestingly, Punjab Kings also own the record for the highest-ever pursuit — 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024.

Abhishek Sharma’s Career-Defining Knock

After a poor run in the current season, Abhishek Sharma returned in style, playing a knock for the ages. The 24-year-old, who had been dropped twice, hammered 14 fours and 10 sixes in his knock — the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history. His fireworks saw SRH end their four-match losing run.

He raised his half-century in 19 balls and scored his first IPL hundred from 40 balls. When he reached the landmark, Abhishek pulled a white sheet of paper out of his pocket as a celebration.

Travis Head’s Supportive Fifty and Record Partnership

As Abhishek pilfered the limelight, Travis Head was the perfect supporting actor for him with a brisk 66 off just 37 balls, with nine fours and three sixes. Together, the two erstwhile strangers stitched a record 171-run opening stand, decimating the PBKS bowling unit and rendering the target much more manageable.

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer employed seven bowlers in the first nine overs, but SRH openers were unstoppable and made the most of sloppy fielding all along.

Klaasen and Kishan Finish Off in Style

Following the fall of Head in the 13th over and Abhishek in the 17th, Heinrich Klaasen (21*) and Ishan Kishan (9*) saw that there were no bumps in the final lap, taking SRH to 247/2 with nine balls remaining.

Highest Successful Run Chases in IPL History:

PBKS Post Mammoth Total Courtesy Iyer’s Blitz

Youthful PBKS made 245/6 batting first, with Shreyas Iyer’s rampage of 82 off 36 balls being the major contribution. The PBKS captain hit six sixes and an equal number of fours and had a 73-run partnership with Nehal Wadhera (22). Priyansh Arya (36) and Prabhsimran Singh (42) had started the proceedings with a rapid 66-run partnership with the openers.

Debutant Eshan Malinga took 2/45, while Harshal Patel stood out with a four-wicket haul (4/42), including key breakthroughs in the middle and death overs.

Stoinis Delivers Late Flourish Against Shami

Marcus Stoinis provided the finishing touches for PBKS with four consecutive sixes in the final over bowled by Mohammed Shami, who endured a tough outing with figures of 0/75 — the most expensive in IPL 2025 so far.

Even after posting one of the highest scores in IPL history, PBKS were helpless against the rampage by Abhishek and Head, as SRH wrote new record books in front of their home audience.

Brief Scores:

PBKS: 245/6 (Iyer 82, Prabhsimran 42; Harshal Patel 4/42)
SRH: 247/2 in 18.3 overs (Abhishek 141, Head 66)
Result: SRH won by 8 wickets