Records tumbled left, right, and center as Sunrisers Hyderabad smashed 277 for three.
The highest-ever total in IPL history, and then defended the score to leave the Hardik Pandya-led side winless in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Wednesday. Over 500 runs were scored, but Sunrisers Hyderabad managed to squeeze in a 31-run win over Mumbai Indians and get off the blocks in the points table with the visitors losing two games in a row. The Hyderabad crowd were part of a historic T20 match, witnessing the highest number of sixes and the most runs scored collectively. Despite the apparent margin of defeat, the game remained closely contested until the second strategic time-out.
Chasing a record-breaking 278 for win, Rohit Sharma (26), playing his 200th game for MI, played some sublime strokes and was well complemented by Ishan Kishan (34 off 13) who got some much-needed runs. Tilak Varma (64 off 34 balls) produced some equisitive strokeplay in a high-quality knock, comprising half a dozen sixes. At 182 for three in 14 overs and seven wickets in hand, Mumbai Indians were on course for something special before succumbing to constant scoreboard pressure.
Naman Dhir and Varma played aggressive cricket to stay on par with the required run rate. Varma, in particular, targeted the spinners, hitting sixes with ease to reach his fifty. Nonetheless, SRH skipper Cummins struck a crucial blow by dismissing Varma after the time-out. Hardik and Tim David tried to stabilize Mumbai Indians’ innings, but they struggled against SRH’s excellent pace attack, characterized by deliveries placed outside off-stump and offering minimal pace.
SRH SCRIPT IPL HISTORY
Earlier, Sunrisers Hyderabad batters unleashed a batting spectacle to amass the highest-ever total scored in an IPL match: a mammoth 277 runs for the loss of just 3 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. SRH broke the previous record held by Royal Challengers Bangalore, who had set a towering total of 263/5 against Pune Warriors India back in 2013. The foundation of SRH’s monumental score was laid by a trio of explosive batsmen – Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head – whose performances will be remembered for years to come.
Travis Head (62 off 24) and Abhishek Sharma (63 off 23) orchestrated a remarkable showcase of power-hitting, with the Indian batter swiftly wresting the franchise record for the fastest fifty from an Australian. The Hyderabad crowd witnessed a flurry of boundaries as Head and Sharma mercilessly took apart the Mumbai Indians’ bowling attack. Head, playing his first-ever IPL match for SRH, backed his stature as one of the most menacing batsmen in the sport with a whirlwind performance. Head broke David Warner’s record for the fastest fifty by a SRH batter, reaching the milestone in just 18 balls, only for Abhishek Sharma to outdo him by achieving the feat in a mere 16 balls, just 20 balls later.
Head, who received a reprieve early in his innings when compatriot Tim David put down a catch, displayed masterful strokeplay, dispatching deliveries to the boundary with remarkable ease, amassing nine fours and three sixes in his onslaught. The onslaught began right from the start, with SRH setting a new record for the highest total at the midway stage of an IPL innings, amassing 148/2 after just 10 overs. Aiden Markram also made a significant contribution with a well-compiled 42 off 28 balls, further propelling the team towards their record-breaking total.
After Head’s departure, Abhishek unleashed a relentless assault, predominantly targeting the cow corner area with seven sixes and three boundaries. Meanwhile, 17-year-old South African pacer Kwena Maphaka’s IPL debut turned into a nightmare, leaking 66 runs in four overs. Following Sharma’s dismissal, the in-form Heinrich Klaasen continued SRH’s six-hitting spree, ending with seven sixes, including a standout maximum off a Bumrah bouncer. Klaasen remained unbeaten at 80 runs off just 34 deliveries, showcasing a masterclass in power-hitting. Klaasen’s innings was adorned with seven sixes and four fours, each hit resonating with the cheers of an electrified crowd. Former skipper Aiden Markram contributed 42 runs from 28 balls.