In an IPL showdown that shattered expectations and records alike, Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a thunderous run chase to dismantle Punjab Kings by eight wickets, thanks largely to an astonishing 141 from Abhishek Sharma—the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history. The left-hander’s 54-ball blitzkrieg carved a path through Punjab’s bowling lineup as SRH chased down 245 in just 18.3 overs, making it the second-highest successful chase in IPL history.
Remember The Name… Abhishek Sharma..🥶💯🫡 pic.twitter.com/WXfzSJDGSC
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) April 12, 2025
Unstoppable from the Start: SRH’s Blazing Powerplay
Powerplay Score: 83/0 (RR: 13.83; 4s/6s: 12/3)
Sunrisers Hyderabad laid the foundation for their historic chase right from the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma, with a flurry of boundaries and audacious intent, took full advantage of a powerplay that yielded 83 runs without loss. Though fortune favored him twice—first with a dropped chance at cover, and then a reprieve off a no-ball—it was Sharma’s clean, calculated aggression that made the difference.
Lockie Ferguson’s injury after just two balls further hampered Punjab’s bowling attack, leaving them a bowler short. Travis Head played a secondary yet crucial role, rotating strike and dispatching loose deliveries as SRH made a thunderous start to their innings.
Middle Overs Masterclass: Abhishek Sharma’s Century and SRH’s Relentless Momentum
Middle Overs Score: 122/1 (RR: 13.55; 4s/6s: 9/12)
As the field spread out, Abhishek Sharma expanded his shot repertoire, exploiting gaps with surgical precision. His 100 came off just 40 balls, an exhibition of timing, placement, and power. From scoop shots to lofted drives over mid-off, Sharma’s strokeplay dismantled Punjab’s strategies.
The 171-run partnership with Travis Head—the season’s highest for any wicket—left Punjab gasping for options. Head reached his own fifty in 31 deliveries, complementing Sharma’s heroics while keeping the run rate healthy.
This period also highlighted Punjab’s unraveling: missed catches, ineffective bowling changes, and poor field placements allowed SRH to dictate terms.
Death Overs: Sharma Falls, But SRH Finish with Ease
Death Overs Score: 42/1 (RR: 12.00; 4s/6s: 5/2)
Abhishek Sharma’s historic knock finally ended at 141 when he mistimed a shot off Arshdeep Singh, caught at deep midwicket. But by then, the job was almost complete.
Heinrich Klaasen stepped in and calmly provided the finishing touches, steering SRH to 247/2 in 18.3 overs, sealing a victory that showcased their batting might and mental resilience.
Punjab Kings: A Titanic Total, Undone by Tactical Missteps
Powerplay Brilliance That Set the Stage
Powerplay Score: 89/1 (RR: 14.83; 4s/6s: 9/6)
The Punjab Kings were no slouches with the bat. Opening duo Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya tore into the SRH pace attack, smashing 53 in the first three overs. Their aggressive start provided the base for PBKS’s monumental total.
However, Arya’s dismissal and tight overs from Harshal Patel and Pat Cummins slowed the momentum just slightly, which would prove vital later.
Iyer’s Commanding Knock in the Middle
Middle Overs Score: 88/3 (RR: 9.78; 4s/6s: 4/6)
Shreyas Iyer played a captain’s innings, notching a 22-ball fifty, his fastest in the IPL. His 36-ball 82 was filled with power and innovation—lofted drives, sweeps, and well-timed pulls. But wickets at regular intervals, including Wadhera and Shashank Singh, curtailed a potential explosion in the middle phase.
Harshal Patel returned to make timely breakthroughs, ending with impressive figures of 4 for 42.
Stoinis’s Late-Cameo Lifts PBKS to 245
Death Overs Score: 68/2 (RR: 13.6; 4s/6s: 5/4)
Despite losing Iyer in the 18th over, Marcus Stoinis lit up the final over with four consecutive sixes off Mohammed Shami, adding 27 runs to Punjab’s tally in just six balls. His explosive cameo elevated the score to 245, a total that should have been defended under normal circumstances.
Yet, their defensive lapses, compounded by the absence of Lockie Ferguson and costly dropped catches, left PBKS vulnerable against an in-form SRH lineup.
Upcoming Fixtures
Punjab Kings face a tight turnaround, hosting Kolkata Knight Riders on April 15, followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 18. The side must regroup quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Sunrisers Hyderabad, rejuvenated by this emphatic win, now prepare to face Mumbai Indians on April 17, with momentum firmly in their favor.
Place your bets at JitaBet, JitaWin, and Jita88, they offer really good odds, play and win big!
Travishek saar. Travishek anthe 🤩🧡
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 12, 2025
Abhishek Sharma | Travis Head | #PlayWithFire | #SRHvPBKS | #TATAIPL2025 pic.twitter.com/kyaXceJEoP
Conclusion
Abhishek Sharma’s 141 will be remembered as one of the greatest innings in IPL history. It wasn’t just the number of runs but the authority with which he played that left a lasting impression. For Sunrisers Hyderabad, this win may well be the turning point of their 2025 campaign.
For Punjab Kings, the loss underscores the brutal nature of T20 cricket—a game of fine margins where dropped catches and one injury can swing the pendulum violently.
