Abhishek Sharma's incredible century helps SRH in completing record-breaking chase against PBKS (2025)

The Sunrisers Hyderabad batter scored a terrific 40-ball century as his team completed a monumental run-chase of 246 runs against the Punjab Kings in IPL 2025

Abhishek Sharma returned to form with a breathtaking knock of 141 runs from just 55 deliveries, overshadowing Shreyas Iyer’s 82, as the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) scripted the second-highest run chase in IPL history to return to winning ways with a comprehensive 8-wicket win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a high-scoring encounter on Saturday.

Opting to bat first, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer smashed a blistering 82 off 36 balls, laced with six sixes and as many fours, powering his side to a mammoth 245/6, despite a four-wicket haul by SRH pacer Harshal Patel (4/42).

Along with Shreyas, Priyash Arya (36), Prabhsimran Singh (42) and Marcus Stoinis (34*) also played valiant cameos as the PBKS posyed their second-highest total in IPL history.

However, it was Abhishek, who had been struggling for form this season, that stole the show with an astonishing display of clean hitting. The southpaw, who was dropped once and caught off a no-ball in the fourth over, hammered 10 sixes and 14 fours, recording the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history as SRH chased down the huge target and ended their 4-match losing streak.

Lockie Ferguson’s hamstring injury after bowling just two balls also left Iyer with one bowler short. Meanwhile, Abhishek’s partner Travis Head provided solid support, blasting 3 sixes and 9 fours in a fluent knock of 66 runs from 37 deliveries. The duo put on a record 171-run opening stand, making a mockery of the daunting chase.

PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal finally broke the partnership in the 13th over, with Head holing out to long-on. Abhishek soon reached his maiden IPL century in 40 balls and celebrated by pulling out a piece of white paper from his pocket which read, ‘this one is for Orange Army’.

Needing 60 off the last six overs, Abhishek continued the carnage with two sixes and a four off Chahal, bringing up SRH’s 200 in the 15th over.

Thakur was smashed for another six and four before Arshdeep Singh finally ended Abhishek’s dream innings in the 17th over. But it was too little, too late, as Heinrich Klaasen (21) and Ishan Kishan (9) finished the chase comfortably.

This monumental victory leaves SRH eighth on the points table with 4 points from six matches. Their net run-rate may still be quite low, but this win will definitely boost their morale a lot. They will be looking to continue this run when they face-off against the Mumbai Indians in their next match of IPL 2025 which will be held on April 17.