Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], April 13: In one of the most exhilarating games of IPL 2025, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head delivered a jaw-dropping opening partnership to help Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) chase down a towering 246-run target against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The explosive opening duo stitched together a 171-run stand in just 12.2 overs, with both batters going on an all-out assault from ball one.
While Head played a fiery knock of 66 off 37 balls, including 9 fours and 3 sixes, it was Abhishek who truly stole the limelight. The 24-year-old left-hander smashed a breathtaking 141 off just 55 deliveries, peppered with 14 fours and 10 massive sixes, setting multiple IPL records along the way.
Former India cricketer and JioStar expert Robin Uthappa lauded their fearless performance, saying:
“They were unbelievable—it was absolutely Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head’s day. Everything went their way. The only early opportunity came when Yash Thakur bowled a no-ball, but once that passed, you could just feel they were going hard.”
Uthappa also emphasized how confidence can build after a few lucky breaks, leading to such extraordinary innings:
“When those moments go in your favour, you feel like—this could be my day. You flirt with danger, and when it pays off, the belief grows. That’s when innings like this come together. It was truly unbelievable.”
Abhishek’s knock broke several records:
- Highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history, surpassing KL Rahul’s 132* in 2020.
- Third-highest individual score in IPL history, behind Chris Gayle (175*) and Brendon McCullum (158*).
- Most runs in an innings via boundaries by an SRH batter (116 runs), beating Jonny Bairstow’s previous record of 90.
- Most sixes in an innings for SRH, overtaking David Warner’s record of 8.
With this thrilling win, SRH sent a strong message to the rest of the league, not just by chasing a massive total but by rewriting the record books in style.