A Night to Remember: SRH Pulls Off Unreal 246 Chase to Stun PBKS in Hyderabad
April 12, 2025 – Hyderabad.
This wasn’t just a cricket match, it was a run-fest that turned into a night of pure madness at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), chasing a massive 246 set by Punjab Kings (PBKS), pulled off the unthinkable. They romped home in just 18.3 overs with 8 wickets in hand—and yes, you read that right. Led by a thunderous 141 off just 55 balls by Abhishek Sharma, SRH chased down one of the biggest totals in IPL history. And now, the cricket world is wondering: is this fearless approach enough to take SRH all the way to the IPL 2025 trophy?
PBKS Post a Mountain – 245/6 on the Board
Batting after winning the toss, PBKS came out firing on all cylinders. Openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh were ruthless. Arya blasted a quick 36 off just 13 balls (strike rate: 276.92), while Prabhsimran kept the pressure on with 42 off 23. By the end of the 4th over, PBKS had already racked up 66 runs. Their powerplay score of 89/1 was their best of the season and put SRH’s bowlers on the backfoot from the get-go.
Then came Captain Shreyas Iyer. He just took the game to another level—hammering 82 off 36 balls, including 6 sixes and as many fours. He and Prabhsimran stitched together a 164-run partnership that looked like it would seal the match then and there. Even though Iyer eventually fell to Harshal Patel in the 17th over, the momentum didn’t stop.
Marcus Stoinis came in late but made his presence felt, smashing 34 not out off just 11 balls, including four sixes in the final over against Mohammed Shami. Shami had a rough night—ending with figures of 0/75 from 4 overs, the worst-ever in SRH’s IPL history, breaking Basil Thampi’s 0/70 record.
Harshal Patel tried his best to contain the damage, picking 4 wickets for 42, including Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh. PBKS’s final total of 245/6 looked like more than enough. With short square boundaries (63m and 69m) and a true pitch, it was a batsman’s paradise—but surely even this was too much to chase? SRH had other plans.
Abhishek Sharma Lights Up Hyderabad with 141
Chasing 246? Most teams would crumble under pressure. But not this SRH side—not this version of them.
Abhishek Sharma batted like a man possessed. His 141 off 55 balls, peppered with 14 boundaries and 10 sixes, was pure carnage. The moment he stepped in, it was clear SRH weren’t here to drag the chase—they were here to bulldoze it.
He broke record after record—his 116 runs in boundaries is now the highest ever in IPL history, beating Jonny Bairstow’s previous best of 90. And those 10 sixes? That’s now the most ever by an SRH batter in a single innings.
Travis Head gave him the perfect support, playing a classy hand of 66 off 37 balls. Together, they stitched a 171-run opening partnership in just 12.2 overs. SRH were already 83/0 at the end of the powerplay—matching PBKS blow for blow.
Eventually, Head fell to Yuzvendra Chahal in the 13th over, but Abhishek kept going. After reaching his hundred in just 40 balls, he even pulled out a note from his pocket that read, “This one is for Orange Army.” It was that kind of night.
His knock finally ended in the 17th over—caught at deep midwicket by Praveen Dubey off Arshdeep Singh. But the crowd gave him a standing ovation, and rightfully so. He walked off with SRH at 222/2, the match all but sealed.
Klaasen (21* off 14) and Ishan Kishan (9* off 6) completed the chase, with Klaasen finishing things off in style with a boundary over point. Final score: 247/2 in 18.3 overs.
PBKS bowlers, frankly, had no answers. Chahal went for 56 in 4 overs, Marco Jansen gave away 36 in just two, and even Yash Thakur conceded at 20 runs per over. The total run tally of 492 (245 + 247) became the highest in SRH vs PBKS history.
SRH’s All-Out Batting: Match-Winning or Risky?
This wasn’t a one-off strategy by SRH. Since the start of IPL 2025, they’ve been playing this ultra-aggressive style—hit from ball one, don’t hold back. Whether they bat first or chase, it’s all about intent.
Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head are doing most of the damage up top, often racking up 80+ runs in the powerplay alone. Klaasen has been a reliable finisher. Against PBKS, this full-throttle method paid off handsomely.
But the big question remains—can this approach win you an IPL trophy?
Strengths That Stand Out
- Abhishek Sharma: His 141 was not just a big score—it was a statement. He’s becoming SRH’s go-to match-winner.
- Travis Head: His powerplay attacking style lays a strong platform for these chases.
- Heinrich Klaasen: Quietly doing his job at the back end, ensuring no late stumbles.
If these three continue to fire, there’s no doubt SRH can chase down or post any total. They’ve proven that now.
But It’s Not All Rosy
There’s a downside to this all-out approach too. If they lose two or three early wickets, their middle order hasn’t really been tested. Players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Aniket Verma didn’t even get to bat against PBKS. What happens if Head and Abhishek fail early? Will the next batsman will try to build partnership or they will stick with there fearless approach?
Also, the bowling is clearly a concern. Shami got smashed for 75. Cummins went for 40 in his quota. On a flatter deck, they might manage. But on slower pitches or big grounds, can they defend a score or control the flow?
For SRH to actually lift the trophy, their bowlers need to step up. Cummins has to lead with better discipline. They’ll need more from their spinners and death-overs plans.
Final Word
This wasn’t just another match. It was an IPL classic that’ll be remembered for years, especially for Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 141. SRH’s eight-wicket win was more than just two points—it was a loud signal to the rest of the league: this team isn’t afraid to chase anything.
Yes, it’s a gamble. But with the form their top order is in, and if the bowlers pull their weight, SRH might just turn this wild ride into a championship run. For now, Hyderabad is dancing, and the Orange Army is dreaming big—and rightly so.
You can also check full score card at Cricbuzz.com
Before you go, here’s another good one: CSK vs. KKR IPL 2025: A Crushing Blow That Hits Deep
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