Abhishek Sharma stuns PBKS with 28-ball 74 as SRH register third-highest powerplay total in IPL

Abhishek Sharma delivered one of the most explosive starts of the season as Sunrisers Hyderabad tore into Punjab Kings to register the joint third-highest powerplay total in the history of the Indian Premier League on Saturday, April 11.

At the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, the world No.1 T20I batter hammered 74 off just 28 balls, powering SRH to a staggering 105 for no loss in the first six overs. The total equalled the third-highest powerplay score in IPL history, adding another entry to Hyderabad’s growing list of record-breaking starts in recent seasons.

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Abhishek’s intent was evident from the outset. He opened his account by lofting Arshdeep Singh over covers for a boundary and followed it up by taking on Xavier Bartlett, striking cleanly down the ground. The pressure quickly mounted on the Punjab attack, with Abhishek dictating terms and forcing errors.

Arshdeep’s second over summed up the early chaos. Struggling for control, the left-arm seamer conceded 20 runs, including four wides, as Abhishek raced to 34 off just 13 balls. At the other end, Travis Head was content playing a supporting role initially, scoring just 3 off his first five deliveries as Abhishek dominated the strike.

A change in bowling brought Marco Jansen into the attack, but the move failed to stem the flow of runs. Head took on the tall left-armer to get going, ensuring there was no let-up in scoring pressure. The decisive blow, however, came in the fifth over when Abhishek dismantled Vijaykumar Vyshak in brutal fashion.

Vyshak was taken apart for four towering sixes in the over as Abhishek surged to his half-century in just 18 balls, bringing up the landmark with a maximum on the fourth delivery of the over. In doing so, he became the first cricketer in the world to register five IPL fifties in fewer than 20 balls, underlining his growing reputation as one of the most dangerous batters in the format.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer shuffled his bowlers in search of a breakthrough, reintroducing Bartlett in an attempt to break the rhythm. But Abhishek continued to find boundaries with ease, and on the penultimate ball of the powerplay, he launched another six to take SRH past the 100-run mark in just 5.5 overs. It was only the fifth instance of a team breaching the 100-run barrier inside the first six overs in IPL history, with Sunrisers Hyderabad accounting for three of those occasions.

The opening stand also reinforced its place among the most productive in the league. Abhishek and Head moved to five 100-plus partnerships in the IPL, joining the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner, as well as Jonny Bairstow and Warner, on the all-time list. The pair also matched the tally of Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli for most century opening stands in the IPL.

Abhishek’s dominance in the powerplay was reflected in the numbers. He scored 66 of his runs in the first six overs, the second-highest by an SRH batter in this phase, only behind Head’s 84 against Delhi Capitals in 2024. He also equaled the record for most sixes in a powerplay in IPL history, smashing seven, a feat previously achieved by Sanath Jayasuriya, Jos Buttler and Bairstow.

The onslaught finally came to an end in the ninth over when part-time off-spinner Shashank Singh provided a breakthrough, dismissing both openers in the same over. Head departed for a brisk 38 off 23 balls, striking at over 165, while Abhishek fell soon after for 74 off 28 deliveries.

His innings, laced with eight sixes and five fours, came at a strike rate of 264.29 and had already swung the momentum firmly in Hyderabad’s favour. By the time he walked back, the contest had been decisively tilted, with Punjab Kings left searching for answers after being overwhelmed in the first six overs itself.

Abhishek Sharma’s knock was not just about numbers but about control and clarity in approach. He picked lengths early, trusted his hitting zones and showed little hesitation in taking on both pace and change-ups. In a format where starts often dictate outcomes, his innings ensured Sunrisers Hyderabad seized control of the match within the powerplay itself.

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