The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium erupted in cheers tonight as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) orchestrated a sensational run chase, overcoming a formidable target of 246 to defeat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by eight wickets in the 27th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This emphatic victory marks a crucial turnaround for SRH after suffering four consecutive losses.
Punjab Kings, having won the toss and elected to bat, started explosively with their opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. Their aggressive intent was immediately evident as they raced to their team’s fifty in a record-breaking three overs – the fastest ever for PBKS in IPL history. The onslaught continued through the powerplay, culminating in a staggering 89 runs, the second-highest powerplay total in IPL history and the highest ever conceded by SRH in the first six overs. Shreyas Iyer further accelerated the innings with a blistering 22-ball half-century, his quickest in the IPL.
However, after the initial fireworks, SRH managed to regain some control by picking up crucial wickets and slowing down the scoring rate in the middle overs. Just when it appeared SRH might restrict PBKS to a manageable total, Marcus Stoinis provided a late surge, smashing four sixes in the final over to propel Punjab Kings to a formidable score of 245/6. This total stands as the second-highest ever recorded by the visitors in the IPL.
Facing a daunting target, SRH responded with incredible intent and firepower. The opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma mirrored PBKS’s aggression, reaching their team fifty in just 3.3 overs. Sharma was in sublime form, notching up his half-century in a blistering 19 balls, his third sub-20 ball fifty in the IPL. Head also contributed with a well-paced half-century as SRH raced to 143/0 after just 10 overs.
Sharma continued his breathtaking innings, reaching a magnificent century in 40 balls. While Head played a more composed innings, anchoring the chase, Abhishek was relentless in his attack. Lady luck also smiled on the young Indian batter, as he survived three close calls: dropped on four by Stoinis, caught off a no-ball on 28, and dropped again on 56 by Yuzvendra Chahal off his bowling. Their 171-run opening partnership is the second-highest ever for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
Ultimately, SRH successfully chased down the mammoth target of 246, winning by eight wickets with nine balls to spare. This remarkable chase is the second-highest successful run chase in the history of the IPL, showcasing SRH’s incredibly aggressive approach.
Abhishek Sharma was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match for his sensational performance. His innings of 141 runs is now the highest individual score by an Indian batter in the IPL and also the highest individual score by an SRH batter. He also smashed a record-breaking 10 sixes, the most by an SRH batter in a single IPL innings.
This thrilling encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium served as a powerful demonstration of Abhishek Sharma’s immense talent and a harsh reminder for Punjab Kings of the crucial nature of holding onto chances. Sunrisers Hyderabad, after a period of struggle, have bounced back emphatically, showcasing their batting prowess and significantly boosting their campaign in IPL 2025.
Scorecard:
Punjab Kings: 245-6, Overs 20, Shreyas Iyer 82, Harshal Patel 4/42
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 247-2, Overs 18.3, Abhishek Sharma 141, Arshdeep Singh 1/37