SRH vs PBKS: Abhishek Sharma Unleashes a Storm with Maiden IPL Century!
Hyderabad, [Date]: The Orange Army roared back to life at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium as Abhishek Sharma turned on beast mode, smashing his maiden IPL century to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to a breathtaking eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Saturday night. Despite a string of four consecutive defeats, SRH fans turned up in droves, and their unwavering support was rewarded with a jaw-dropping display of power-hitting.
The night was a carnival of runs, with a staggering total of 492 runs scored in the match. Abhishek, the star of the evening, blasted an extraordinary 141 runs off just 64 balls, including 12 fours and 9 sixes, marking it the highest score by an Indian in IPL history this season. His knock overshadowed a fiery 82 (36 balls, 6 fours, 6 sixes) by PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, who fought valiantly but couldn’t steer his team to victory.
Opening the innings alongside Travis Head, Abhishek launched a relentless assault on the PBKS bowling attack. Head, usually the aggressor, played second fiddle, scoring a brisk 66 (37 balls, 9 fours, 3 sixes) while Abhishek raced to his ton. Their partnership of 171 runs in just 75 balls set the tone for the chase. A dropped catch on 27, thanks to a no-ball by Impact Player Yash Thakur, proved costly for PBKS as Abhishek made them pay dearly. Upon reaching his century, the young batter dedicated it to the passionate Orange Army, soaking in their thunderous applause.
Abhishek’s dominance was such that by the time he was dismissed, SRH needed just 24 runs off 22 balls. Heinrich Klaasen and Abdul Samad wrapped up the chase effortlessly, finishing at 247/2 with nine balls to spare. This commanding win is a much-needed boost for SRH, especially after their bowlers endured a torrid time earlier in the match.
On the other side, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer showcased his class with a breezy knock, capitalizing on a solid 66-run opening stand by Priyansh Arya (36 off 13 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes) and Prabhsimran Singh. Opting to bat first on a batting-friendly surface—where SRH had previously posted 286/6—PBKS raced to 53 in the first three overs, tormenting SRH pacers Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins. Despite the early fireworks, PBKS couldn’t maintain the momentum, finishing at 244/5, a total that proved insufficient against Abhishek’s heroics.
For SRH, Mohammed Shami had a night to forget, leaking 64 runs in his four overs, including 37 in his first two and a brutal last over where Marcus Stoinis smashed four consecutive sixes. However, the night belonged to Abhishek Sharma, whose fearless batting not only clinched the game but also etched his name in IPL folklore.
As SRH basks in this victory, the question remains—can Abhishek maintain this explosive form in the upcoming matches? For now, the Orange Army celebrates a night of pure cricketing magic, with their newfound hero leading the charge.