SRH vs PBKS Highlights, IPL 2025: Abhishek Sharma smashes records and Punjab Kings bowlers, lifts mood of Orange Army

Shreyas Iyer continued his rich exploits and played a key role in guiding Punjab to a gigantic 245/6 after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Iyer joined the action after an explosive 66-run partnership between Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya (13-ball 36) and kept the momentum intact. Together with Prabhsimran, the duo powered Punjab to 89/1 at the end of powerplay. However, Prabhsimran (42 off 33 balls) departed in the next over after powerplay. Iyer continued to run the show and ensured there were no further inroads. He completed a 22-ball 50 and stitched 73(40) with Nehal Wadhera for the third wicket. Iyer was eventually dismissed by Harshal Patel for 82 off 36 balls, which featured six fours and the same number of maximums.

Harshal Patel injects crucial blows

Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya gave Punjab the start they hoped for and stitched 50-plus stand in just 18 deliveries. The 66-run partnership between the two was eventually broken by Harshal Patel, who dismissed Arya for a 13-ball 36. Harshal Patel then packed Shashank Singh, who lasted just for three deliveries. The medium-pacer emerged as the most effective bowler from the SRH camp as he took his wicket tally to four by removing Glenn Maxwell (3 off 7) and Shreyas Iyer (82 off 36) in the 18th over.

Stoinis' final over belting against Shami

Just when it felt that SRH had produced a tremendous comeback Marcus Stoinis banged Mohammed Shami for four consecutive 6s in the final over, powering Punjab Kings to 245/6, their second highest total in the history of the competition.

Luck favours the brave

Abhishek Sharma slams 40-ball 100 to hand Sunrisers edge in 246-chase (BCCI Photo)

Abhishek Sharma produced a knock for the ages. Chasing 246, Abhishek smoked fire from the word go and hammered 141 off 55 balls before getting out against Arshdeep Singh in the 17th over. However, by the time he was dismissed the job was done and dusted as SRH eventually wrapped the staggering chase with nine balls to spare. As they say luck favours the brave and so was the case with Abhishek. The southpaw almost handed a catch to Marcus Stoinis in the third delivery he faced in the match. And the time when he was actually caught at third-man against impact substitute Yash Thakur it turned out to be a no-ball. The lifelines only allowed Abhishek to make lightwork of the Punjab attack as he went to slam a 19-ball 50. Abhishek then reached his ton in 40 balls, which he celebrated with some grand gesture. Abhishek pulled out a note that read "This one is for the Orange Army" soon after reaching the milestone. The match-winning knock by Abhishek saw him smash a couple of records - highest individual score by an SRH batter and highest individual score in IPL by an Indian.

171-run opening partnership

Abhishek Sharma-Travis Head pump it up in Hyderabad (BCCI Photo)

Abhishek and Travis Head set the tone of SRH's run-chase with an explosive start and stitched 50-plus stand while the powerplay was underway. The duo then took SRH beyond the 100-run mark in just 8 overs. The carnage by the duo continued as Head reached his half-century in 31 balls and shortly after SRH crossed 150 inside 11 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal broke the 171-run opening stand between Abhishek and Head by dismissing the latter for 66(37).