In a pulsating match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Abhishek Sharma produced a masterclass, smashing a breathtaking 141 from 55 deliveries. This extraordinary innings took Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to chase down a mammoth target of 246 laid by Punjab Kings (PBKS), which remains the second-highest successful run chase in IPL history.

Abhishek Sharma's Record-Breaking Innings

Coming back against a substantial total, Sharma displayed his batting skills with an explosive innings comprising 10 sixes and 14 fours. His century off 40 balls not only was his first IPL hundred but also created a record for the highest individual innings by an Indian in the competition.

Looking back at his innings, Sharma dedicated his effort to the crowd, saying, "This one is very special because I wanted to break that losing streak. Losing four matches back-to-back was very tough. But we never talked about it in the team."

Dominant Opening Partnership

Sharma's batting was supported by Australian opener Travis Head, who added a flamboyant 66 off 37 deliveries. Both of them built a strong 171-run opening partnership in 12.2 overs and set the tone for the chase.

Head praised the partnership, saying,"Nice to get on the winner's list. We needed it. We had our work cut out at the halfway stage. We wanted to give ourselves a chance." 

"I was a bit patient in the first two overs. Abhi got off to a flier... we complement each other really well."

Punjab Kings' Strong Start

Earlier in the game, PBKS had set an imposing total of 245/6, as a result of Shreyas Iyer's scorching 82 from 36 balls and Priyansh Arya's 36 in a hurry. Although their batters stamped their authority on the game, PBKS's performances were eclipsed by SRH's record chase.​

Harshal Patel's Heroic Spell

Though Sharma's innings were the show-stoppers, Harshal Patel's bowling played a key role in keeping PBKS under check. He took 4 wickets for 42 runs, including the key wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Glenn Maxwell, to keep PBKS from scoring an even more formidable total.

SRH Ends Losing Streak

This victory was a significant morale booster for SRH, ending their four-match losing streak. Captain Pat Cummins expressed his satisfaction, stating, "It suits our style. As a bowling group we know what we're going to get, kind of hold onto your seats, try to hang on."

Looking Ahead

With this win, SRH has climbed to eighth place in the standings and will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches. Their next challenge will be against the Mumbai Indians, where they aim to continue their winning form