Sunrisers Hyderabad snapped their four-match losing streak in spectacular fashion, pulling off the second-highest successful run chase in IPL history with ease—chasing down 246 against the very team that holds the top record. The turnaround was led by the dynamic Travishek duo, finally firing on all cylinders this season.
On a Hyderabad surface that returned to its high-scoring nature following last week’s spin-friendly pitch against Gujarat Titans, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head went on a rampage. They made the most of two missed chances off Abhishek to post the season’s highest partnership—171 runs in just 12.2 overs—leaving Punjab Kings stunned.
Abhishek, who had not hit a six all season, exploded with six maximums en route to a breathtaking 40-ball century—his first in the IPL and the highest by an Indian this season. After reaching the milestone, he celebrated with a heartfelt message: “This one is for the Orange Army,” before adding a few more fireworks.
While Abhishek’s sensational ton stole the limelight, Harshal Patel played an equally vital role with figures of 4 for 42, effectively trimming at least 20 runs off PBKS’ projected total. It marked only Punjab’s second defeat of the campaign, compounded by an injury to their key fast bowler, Lockie Ferguson.
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Travis and Abhishek Turns the Tide with Fiery Onslaught
After a string of low scores—18, 2, 1, and 6—Abhishek Sharma wasted no time finding form, cracking three consecutive boundaries off Marco Jansen in just the second over of the chase. Travis Head quickly joined the party, dealing similarly harsh blows to Arshdeep Singh by finding gaps all around the field.
Abhishek received a crucial reprieve on 28 when Yash Thakur, subbed in as an Impact Player for Nehal Wadhera, overstepped on a delivery that resulted in a catch at deep point. Seizing the moment, Abhishek launched the ensuing free-hit for his first six of the season—igniting a fireworks display.
Punjab’s problems worsened as Lockie Ferguson exited two deliveries into his spell with a hip issue. Moments later, Yuzvendra Chahal dropped Abhishek on 57 off his own bowling—a mistake punished immediately with a towering six. By the end of the eighth over, Sunrisers had already raced to 100.
With Abhishek unleashing from one end, Head soon joined the carnage, dispatching Glenn Maxwell for consecutive sixes. SRH had already reached the halfway mark of their mammoth target before the ninth over was up. The tension hit boiling point when Maxwell exchanged a few heated words with Head, forcing Marcus Stoinis to step in and calm things down.
Abhishek Stamps His Authority with a Statement Knock
In a knock filled with towering sixes, one shot from Abhishek Sharma truly stood out—a thunderous bottom-handed helicopter flick off former teammate Marco Jansen. The shot, launched off a yorker-length delivery, followed a brutal pull off a short ball that sailed over deep square leg. He capped off that over with two audacious boundaries, deftly scooping and steering length deliveries past the wicketkeeper.
By the time Punjab Kings finally broke through—Chahal dismissing Head with a catch at long-on—there was little celebration, a clear sign that the fight had long been drained from their camp. Just four balls later, Abhishek reached his maiden IPL century, soaking in the standing ovation from a jubilant Orange Army.
Not done yet, he smashed five more sixes before falling in the 17th over to close friend and Punjab pacer Arshdeep Singh. His departure was met with applause from both fans and opposition players, a fitting tribute to a masterclass.
Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan then calmly finished the job, sealing the chase with nine balls to spare.
Iyer, Arya Blaze Early Trail Before Stoinis’ Late Surge
Shreyas Iyer’s blistering 82 off just 36 balls, combined with a fiery start from Priyansh Arya—who notched up the joint-fastest half-century of the season—gave Punjab Kings a powerful platform to build on.
At the halfway mark, PBKS looked set to breach the 250-run barrier, but their momentum faltered as Harshal Patel turned the game with a superb 18th over. He dismissed both Iyer and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession, capping off his spell with figures of 4 for 42.
Just when it seemed like Punjab might fall short of a daunting total, Marcus Stoinis unleashed fury in the final over, hammering Mohammed Shami for four consecutive sixes. The over went for 27 runs, pushing PBKS to a formidable 245 for 6. Shami endured a rough outing, finishing with uncharacteristic figures of 0 for 75 in four overs—his most expensive spell in the IPL.
Harshal’s Timely Strikes Put Brakes on PBKS Surge
Typically reserved for the death overs, Harshal Patel was introduced early to curb the flow of runs—and he made an immediate impact. In the fourth over, he removed the in-form Priyansh Arya, who mistimed an off-cutter to the longer leg-side boundary, where Nitish Reddy safely pouched the skier at mid-on.
However, it was during the final six overs that Harshal truly left his mark. Returning for his third over in the 15th, he outsmarted the aggressive Shashank Singh with a deceptive off-cutter that trapped him lbw, conceding just nine runs in the process.
Then came the game-defining 18th over. With PBKS eyeing a strong finish, Harshal clean-bowled a struggling Glenn Maxwell with a dipping slower delivery as the Australian attempted a risky reverse ramp. Two balls later, he dismissed the well-set Shreyas Iyer with a clever change of pace, inducing a mistimed shot to point.
Complementing Harshal’s brilliance was debutant Eshan Malinga, the young Sri Lankan pacer, who impressed with a composed spell and picked up two key wickets to support the cause.
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FAQs
What is the second-highest successful run chase in IPL history?
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chase of 246 against Punjab Kings is the second-highest in IPL history.
Who scored the fastest century for SRH in IPL 2024?
Abhishek Sharma scored a 40-ball century against PBKS, the fastest for SRH this season.
What was Abhishek Sharma’s score in the record chase vs PBKS?
Abhishek Sharma smashed 141 off 55 balls, including six sixes before his century.
How did Harshal Patel impact the PBKS innings?
Harshal Patel took 4 for 42, including key wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Glenn Maxwell in the 18th over.
What was Shami’s bowling figure in the PBKS vs SRH game?
Mohammed Shami had his most expensive IPL spell, conceding 75 runs in four overs without a wicket.
