By Zainab Shafiq 
Sunrisers Hyderabad pulled off the second-highest successful run chase in Indian Premier League history as Abhishek Sharma lit up the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium with a breathtaking 141 off 55 deliveries, helping his side overhaul Punjab Kings’ mammoth 245-run target with eight wickets in hand and nine balls to spare.
In what turned out to be a run-fest in Hyderabad, Punjab Kings set the tone with a blistering start after being asked to bat first. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh smashed 66 runs inside the first four overs. Shreyas Iyer then took charge with a scintillating 82 off 36 balls, which included six sixes and as many fours, anchoring the innings during the middle overs.
Abhishek Sharma’s innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad
Despite a brief stutter with wickets falling in the second half of the innings, Marcus Stoinis provided the finishing touch with a rapid 34 off just 11 deliveries, pushing Punjab to an imposing 245/6 at the end of 20 overs. Harshal Patel was the standout with the ball for SRH, claiming 4 for 42 amidst the carnage. However, SRH’s pace unit, including Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins, struggled to contain the flow of runs.
In response, SRH turned to their aggressive opening duo—Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma—and the pair did not disappoint. The left-right combination unleashed an all-out assault from the outset, adding 171 runs for the opening stand in just 12.2 overs. Head was eventually dismissed for 66 off 37, falling to Yuzvendra Chahal, but the damage had been done.
The evening, however, belonged entirely to Abhishek Sharma. The southpaw brought up his century off just 40 balls and maintained his attacking tempo well into the 16th over. His 141-run innings featured 14 boundaries and 10 towering sixes, leaving the Punjab bowlers with no answers. Sharma fell with the score at 222, but Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan ensured the chase was completed without further hiccups, finishing the job in the 19th over.
Punjab’s bowling unit was left thoroughly bruised. None of their frontline bowlers managed to keep the scoring rate in check. Marco Jansen and Yash Thakur were particularly expensive, conceding 39 and 40 runs respectively in just two overs apiece. Chahal, while picking up a wicket, was taken for 56 in his four overs.
Abhishek Sharma was rightfully named Player of the Match for his jaw-dropping performance, which now stands as one of the finest innings in IPL history. With this win, SRH not only picked up crucial points but also delivered a strong message about their batting might this season.
The match will go down as one of the most entertaining spectacles in IPL history—245 chased down with such dominance, led by a local star coming of age on the biggest stage.
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