Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) put on a scintillating batting display against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in what can only be described as a run-fest of epic proportions at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Led by sensational fifties from Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head, SRH notched up the highest total in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), posting a mammoth 277/3 in their allotted 20 overs on Wednesday.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on any early assistance from the pitch. However, the SRH openers, Mayank Agarwal and Travis Head, had other plans as they came out all guns blazing. The duo launched a blistering assault on the MI bowling attack, stitching together a rapid 45-run partnership in just 4 overs. Unfortunately for SRH, Mayank’s cameo came to an abrupt end as he fell victim to Hardik Pandya’s delivery, departing after contributing 11 runs to the scoreboard.
Undeterred by the early setback, Abhishek Sharma joined Travis Head at the crease, and together, they unleashed a relentless onslaught on the MI bowlers. Sharma and Head showcased exquisite strokeplay, plundering 68 runs off a mere 23 balls before Head was eventually dismissed after a spectacular innings of 62 runs off just 24 deliveries, embellished with nine boundaries and three sixes.
As the innings progressed, former SRH skipper Aiden Markram partnered with Abhishek Sharma to keep the momentum going. The duo added another crucial 48 runs in quick time before Sharma departed after an explosive innings of 63 runs from 23 balls, which included an impressive tally of seven sixes and three boundaries.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, SRH continued to pile on the runs, thanks to a brilliant unbeaten partnership between Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram. The pair showcased exemplary composure and power-hitting prowess, stitching together an unbeaten 116-run stand off just 55 balls. Klaasen, in particular, was in a league of his own, remaining unbeaten on a blistering 80 off 34 deliveries, which featured seven towering sixes and four boundaries.
SRH’s innings was a relentless onslaught on the MI bowlers, as they reached the 200-run mark in the 15th over and eventually surpassed the 250-run milestone in the penultimate over. The final tally of 277/3 not only set a new record for the highest team total in IPL history but also showcased the formidable batting firepower possessed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise.
In response, the Mumbai Indians will have their task cut out as they aim to chase down this monumental target set by SRH. With the likes of Hardik Pandya, Gerald Coetzee, and Piyush Chawla among their ranks, MI will be banking on their bowling unit to deliver a stellar performance and restrict the SRH batting juggernaut.
Brief score: Sunrisers Hyderabad 277/3 (Heinrich Klaasen 80*, Abhishek Sharma 63, Travis Head 62; Hardik Pandya 1/46) vs Mumbai Indians.
