Sunrisers Hyderabad thrive on chasing substantial totals, and a target of 246 was within reach. However, the 2016 champions have struggled in IPL 2025, suffering four consecutive losses, including one while batting second. Yet, on Saturday night, they returned to form at home, with Abhishek Sharma spearheading the effort by scoring an impressive 141. The hosts achieved a record chase with nine balls remaining, leaving Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer in disbelief.

Abhishek's remarkable century set a new record for the highest score by an Indian in IPL history, as he and Travis Head finally found their rhythm this season, successfully overcoming PBKS's target of 246 runs with eight wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. This performance marked the second-highest successful chase in IPL history.

In the post-match discussion, when Iyer was asked about what he believed could have been a match-winning total at the venue, he expressed his surprise at how easily Sunrisers managed to chase down the target. "I think it was a fantastic total, to be honest. It still makes me laugh that they (SRH) chased it with two overs to spare," he remarked.

However, Iyer noted that Abhishek was somewhat "lucky" during his innings, as Punjab missed two catches that could have changed the game. "We could have taken a few catches, but he (Abhishek) was fortunate. He played exceptionally well. In summary, we did not bowl to our potential; we need to reassess and make improvements. The opening partnership (between Abhishek and Head) was outstanding, and they did not provide us with many chances to capitalize," he added.

Significantly, Abhishek was dropped around the halfway point of the innings, on the first ball of the eighth over, while he was on 56 off 22. He had misplayed a delivery from Yuzvendra Chahal, but with no fielder positioned at mid-wicket, the bowler rushed to attempt a catch but ultimately failed.

SRH beat PBKS by eight wickets

Punjab began their innings strongly after choosing to bat first, benefiting from a 66-run partnership between Priyansh Arya, who scored 36 runs off 13 balls with two fours and four sixes, and Prabhsimran Singh, who contributed 42 runs off 23 balls, including seven fours and one six. Subsequently, a remarkable half-century from Iyer, who amassed 82 runs off 36 balls with six fours and six sixes, along with a late surge from Marcus Stoinis, who finished with 34 not out off 11 balls featuring one four and four sixes, propelled PBKS to a total of 245 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

In response, Abhishek and Head formed a formidable opening partnership of 171 runs, while Heinrich Klaasen, with an unbeaten 21 runs, and Ishan Kishan, who scored 9 not out, added the finishing touches to the innings.

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