Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) big-hitters became new captain Hardik Pandya’s worst nightmare. SRH broke the record for highest score in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. SRH posted a massive total of 277 for three wickets against Mumbai Indians (MI) on the back of half-centuries from Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen.
The previous record belonged to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Chris Gayle’s 175 led RCB to 263/5 against now-defunct Pune Warriors India in IPL 2013. SRH's previous highest IPL total of 231/2 came against RCB in IPL 2019 when former skipper David Warner and Jonny Bairstow scored hundreds.
The highest total MI conceded before March 27 was 235/1. In IPL 2015, AB de Villiers' unbeaten 133 helped RCB post a gigantic total against MI.
Power-packed powerplay overs
Making his debut for SRH and returning to IPL after a seven-year hiatus, Head went ballistic in the powerplay overs. He smashed teenager Kwena Maphaka for two sixes and two fours in the third over. He reached his half-century from 18 balls with a boundary off Gerald Coetzee. Meanwhile, Abhishek had hit the first six of his innings as well.
Abhishek breaks Head's record
After powerplay overs, SRH were 81/1. Abhishek took on Piyush Chawla and hit him for three sixes to get SRH's score past 100. In the eighth over, Head departed for a 24-ball 62. In the 10th over, Maphaka came back into the attack. Abhishek whacked him for two consecutive sixes to reach his half-century from just 16 balls. This is the fastest fifty for SRH. Chawla ended Abhishek's stay at the crease in the 11th over. He scored 63 runs from 23 balls including seven sixes.
Klaasen helps SRH break colossal record
SRH were 161/3 after 11 overs. Klaasen joined the party with a maximum off Shams Mulani. He even hit Jasprit Bumrah for a maximum in the 15th over. The hosts crossed the 200-run mark in the same over. Maphaka came back into the attack and conceded 18 runs. The South African wicketkeeper-batter reached his half-century from 23 balls. In the penultimate over, SRH crossed 250 as Klaasen hit Bumrah for two fours. Mulani bowled the final over. Klaasen hit the record-breaking six off the third ball of the over. He smashed another six and on the final ball ran for a couple of runs. SRH posted 277/3. Klaasen's 34-ball 80 featured seven sixes and four fours. On the other end, Markram scored 42 runs from 28 balls including two fours and a six.
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