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On a trifling Saturday evening at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pulled off a jaw-dropping chase against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 27th match of IPL 2025, clinching an 8-wicket victory with 9 balls to spare.
Chasing a giant 246 runs target, SRH, led by Abhishek Sharma’s scintillating century and Travis Head’s fiery fifty support, turned the game into a spectacle that had fans on the edge of their seats. For Indian cricket lovers, this match was a reminder of why the IPL remains the ultimate T20 carnival-pure, unadulterated drama seen in today’s SRH vs PBKS match.
Match overview of SRH vs PBKS
The stage was set when PBKS, after winning the toss, opted to bat first on a pitch known for high-scoring thrillers. Their batters delivered, posting a formidable 245/6, powered by Shreyas Iyer’s blazing 82 and Priyansh Arya’s quickfire 36. SRH, however, had other plans. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head unleashed a batting masterclass, stitching together a 171-run opening stand that made the chase look like a walk in the park. SRH finished at 247/2 in 18.3 overs, sealing a victory that sent the Orange Army into a frenzy.
PBKS’s innings: A fiery start with a solid finish
PBKS came out swinging, with openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh setting a scorching pace. Their 66-run stand in just 3.6 overs gave Punjab a dream start, with Arya’s 36 off 13 balls studded with three sixes. Prabhsimran (42 off 23) kept the momentum going until Eshan Malinga dismissed him.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer then took charge, smashing 82 off 36 balls, his fastest IPL fifty—laced with six fours and sixes each. His 73-run partnership with Nehal Wadhera (27 off 22) kept PBKS on track, but Harshal Patel’s triple strike (4/42) pegged them back, dismissing Wadhera, Shashank Singh (2), and Glenn Maxwell (3).
Marcus Stoinis’s unbeaten 34 off 11, including four consecutive sixes off Mohammed Shami, ensured PBKS ended with a towering total. Shami, unfortunately, had a night to forget, leaking 75 runs—the most expensive spell by an Indian bowler in IPL history.
PBKS’s fall of wickets
66-1 (Arya, 3.6), 91-2 (Prabhsimran, 6.5), 164-3 (Wadhera, 13.3), 168-4 (Shashank, 14.1), 205-5 (Maxwell, 17.1), 206-6 (Iyer, 17.3).
SRH’s bowling: Harshal shined, Shami struggled
Harshal Patel was SRH’s standout bowler, claiming 4/42, including the scalps of Iyer, Maxwell, and Shashank. His clever variations in the death overs kept PBKS from crossing 250. Eshan Malinga chipped in with 2/45, dismissing Prabhsimran and Wadhera, but the rest of the attack struggled. Shami’s 0/75 was a low point, while Pat Cummins (0/40) and Zeeshan Ansari (0/41) couldn’t find their rhythm. SRH’s bowlers took a beating but managed to keep PBKS within sight, setting the stage for their batters.
SRH’s Innings: Abhishek and Head rewrite the script
Chasing 246, SRH needed a miracle, and Abhishek Sharma delivered it. The left-hander was in a league of his own, smashing 141 off 55 balls, his century coming in just 40 balls. With 14 fours and 10 sixes, he toyed with PBKS’s bowlers, his scoop shots and lofted covers leaving fans gasping. Travis Head played the perfect foil, scoring 66 off 37 (9 fours, 3 sixes) before falling to Yuzvendra Chahal. Their 171-run stand in 12.2 overs broke PBKS’s spirit.
Heinrich Klaasen (21 off 14) and Ishan Kishan (9 off 6) finished the job with composure, ensuring SRH crossed the line in style.
SRH’s fall of wickets
171-1 (Head, 12.2), 222-2 (Abhishek, 16.2).
PBKS’s bowling flop show
PBKS’s bowlers had no answer to SRH’s onslaught. Arshdeep Singh (1/37) got Abhishek late, while Chahal (1/56) dismissed Head but leaked runs. Marco Jansen (0/39) and Yash Thakur (0/40) were taken apart, and Maxwell’s 0/40 in three overs did not help. Stoinis and Shashank Singh were tried as part-timers, but the damage was done early. PBKS’s fielding lapses, including a dropped catch, only compounded their woes.
Key performances in SRH vs PBKS match
- Abhishek Sharma (141 off 55): His fearless batting turned the game on its head, proving he’s a future star for India.
- Shreyas Iyer (82 off 36): The PBKS skipper led from the front, but his team couldn’t capitalize.
- Harshal Patel (4/42): Kept SRH in the game with crucial wickets.
- The match highlighted SRH’s batting depth and PBKS’s over-reliance on their top order.
Post-match simulation of SRH vs PBKS
This win was a lifeline for SRH, who had been struggling with four losses in five games. It boosted their net run rate and kept their playoff hopes alive. For PBKS, despite three wins in four, the loss exposed their bowling frailties. With the IPL 2025 race heating up, both teams will need consistency to secure a top-four spot.
For Indian fans, this match was a celebration of homegrown talent Abhishek’s audacity, Iyer’s flair, and Harshal’s grit. As the Orange Army roared, Hyderabad proved that no target is too big when belief meets brilliance.
