Cricholic
Abhishek Sharma delivered a jaw-dropping performance, smashing 141 runs off 55 balls to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to a sensational 8-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS). As a result, SRH pulled off the second-highest successful chase in IPL history, rewriting the record books in the process.
Previously struggling at the bottom of the table, SRH found their spark again, largely due to the left-hander’s extraordinary innings.
🏏 SRH’s chase in the powerplay
Right from the outset, Abhishek set the tone for the chase. He survived two early chances — one drop and one no-ball — but didn’t look back. As the field spread, he began dissecting it with ease. Meanwhile, Punjab’s bowling plans were thrown off balance after Lockie Ferguson walked off injured two balls into his spell.
Consequently, SRH blasted 83/0 in the powerplay, with Abhishek contributing 49 of those runs.
🚀 Abhishek and Head dominate with season’s biggest partnership
Abhishek, along with Travis Head, stitched together a mammoth 171-run stand, the highest partnership of the season. In contrast to Punjab’s innings, where momentum wavered in the middle overs, SRH stayed aggressive and clinical.
While Head played a composed role with his 66, Abhishek unleashed an array of shots across the ground. Moreover, PBKS dropped him thrice, each miss compounding their misery.
🎯 Middle-overs mastery keeps SRH ahead
Abhishek didn’t slow down once the fielding restrictions lifted. Instead, he adapted by targeting fine-leg and third-man with sweeps and ramps. Additionally, he reached his century in just 40 balls — an incredible feat under pressure.
On the other hand, Punjab’s scoring dipped during their middle phase, managing only 88/3. As a result, SRH had a clear edge by the 12th over.
💥 Abhishek departs late, but the job is done
Eventually, Abhishek’s breathtaking innings ended in the 18th over when he holed out to deep midwicket. However, the damage was already done. Following his dismissal, Klaasen sealed the chase with a calm finish, taking SRH over the line with nine balls remaining.
Ultimately, it was a night that firmly belonged to Abhishek.
🔥 PBKS Innings Recap – Hot start, cool finish
Powerplay – PBKS explode out of the blocks
PBKS began strongly, racing to 89/1 in the first six overs. Young openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya attacked fearlessly, even unsettling senior bowlers like Cummins and Shami.
Middle Overs – Iyer holds the innings together
Shreyas Iyer took charge with a quick 82, combining classic strokes with powerful hitting. Nevertheless, regular wickets at the other end stifled Punjab’s momentum.
Death Overs – Late flourish from Stoinis
Just when SRH appeared to pull things back, Marcus Stoinis smashed four sixes in the final over. Consequently, PBKS reached a massive 245/6, but it still wasn’t enough.
📋 Match Summary
Punjab Kings – 245/6 (Shreyas Iyer 82, Prabhsimran 42; Harshal Patel 4-42)
Sunrisers Hyderabad – 247/2 in 18.3 overs (Abhishek 141, Head 66)
Result: SRH won by 8 wickets
🗓️ What’s Next?
- Punjab Kings face Kolkata Knight Riders on April 15, followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 18.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad travel to Mumbai for a clash against MI on April 17, enjoying a four-day break before that.
