Sunrisers Hyderabad smash record IPL chase in win over Punjab

Sunrisers Hyderabad recorded the second-highest chase in IPL history against Punjab Super Kings on Saturday at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, crushing 2/247 with eight wickets and nine balls to spare.

Cricket betting sites had SRH slight underdogs heading into the clash, given they were riding a four-match losing streak after winning their opening game of the season.

Punjab set an impressive total after electing to bat first, taking 66 runs from the first four overs before Priyansh Arya (36 from 13) fell.

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When Arya fell, Shreyas Iyer came to the crease and muscled a brilliant 82 runs from just 36 balls to anchor the PBKS innings.

He found company from Prabhsimran Singh (42 from 23) initially then Nehal Wadhera (27 from 22) in the middle overs, before passing on the baton to Marcus Stoinis (34 from 11) for some big hitting at the death.

Live IPL betting odds were firmly in Punjab’s favour with 245/6 notched from their 20 overs – little did they realise that Travis Head (66 from 37) and Abhishek Sharma (141 from 55) were about to put on a batting masterclass.

Just like their first fixture of the 2025 IPL, Sunrisers’ batsmen were in full flight, with the two openers piling on 171 runs in the first 12.1 overs.

Head struck two boundaries in the first four balls but would end up playing second fiddle to Abhishek, who raced out to his half century from just 19 balls.

This quickly became a century from 40 balls, soon after Head holed out in the 13th over.

Heinrich Klaasen (21* from 14) joined Abhishek after Head’s departure, but was barely needed as the 24-year-old continued his vicious assault.

By the time Abhishek finally got out just 24 runs were required from 22 balls, with SRH coasting to victory in the 19th over.

“We didn’t talk anything. It was just natural play for us,” Abhishek explained after winning player of the match.

“The partnership boosted me up.

“This one is very special, because I wanted to break that losing streak.

“Losing four match back-to-back was very tough.

“But we never talked about it in the team.”

The victory takes Sunrisers to eighth on the IPL ladder, above Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians but still two points afloat from a playoff berth.

Top online bookmakers have shortened their title odds marginally as a result, pricing them at $12 to win the competition now.

Delhi Capitals ($5) still lead the market at BetOnline, with PBKS holding onto the fourth line of betting ($7.50) despite their loss.

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