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Sunrisers Hyderabad batters unleashed havoc on Mumbai Indians on Wednesday, as the side broke the record for the highest innings total in the Indian Premier League history. SRH posted 277/3 in 20 overs in Hyderabad, going well past RCB’s total of 263/5 that the franchise scored in 2013 against the now-defunct Pune Warriors India.
In a jaw-dropping display of power-hitting, Sunrisers Hyderabad embarked on a rampage, setting the highest-ever total in IPL history with a staggering 277/3 against Mumbai Indians. It was an exhibition in power-hitting, leaving bowlers from both teams bewildered by the relentless onslaught.
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Mumbai Indians found themselves caught in a tactical mishap in their game plan against the SRH. Captain Hardik Pandya, in collaboration with the team management, may have strategized to reserve Jasprit Bumrah to counter SRH’s aggressive power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen; however, their anticipation proved futile as Travis Head, making his SRH debut, and then Abhishek Sharma, unleashed a spectacular exhibition of power-hitting in the first 10 overs against the MI bowling attack.
SRH’s opening batter, Travis Head, kickstarted the onslaught with a blistering 62 runs off just 24 deliveries, setting the tone for their innings. His explosive innings was complemented by a sensational display from number three batter Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 63 runs off a mere 23 balls, swiftly overtaking Head to claim the franchise record for the fastest fifty.
In a breathtaking display, Head reached his half-century in a mere 18 deliveries, shattering the SRH record for the fastest fifty by a player. Yet, the record was swiftly eclipsed as young left-handed batsman Abhishek Sharma outpaced him, reaching his fifty in just 16 balls, relentlessly pummeling the MI bowlers.
The fireworks didn’t end there, as Heinrich Klaasen delivered a scintillating performance, remaining unbeaten with 80 runs off 34 balls. His late onslaught not only propelled SRH to a monumental total but also shattered an 11-year-old IPL record previously held by Royal Challengers Bangalore, who had scored 263/5 in 2013.
Despite Mumbai Indians being left shell-shocked by SRH’s relentless six-hitting spree, their batters showcased bravery in the mammoth chase. What initially seemed like a one-sided affair at the innings break gradually transformed into a competitive showdown; Ishan Kishan (34 off 13 balls), Rohit Sharma (26 off 12 balls), Naman Dhir (30 off 14 balls) were all impressive in their fiery starts, while Tilak Varma also produced a brilliant performance with a 34-ball 64.
Debutant South African pacer Kwena Maphaka endured a forgettable night, conceding 22 and 20 runs, respectively, in his second and third overs, with Head and Abhishek exploiting his inexperience. He eventually ended with dismal figures of 0/66 in his four overs. Amidst the onslaught, Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the lone MI pacer to maintain control, although he remained wicketless, conceding 36 runs. By the 13th over, SRH had amassed 180/3, with Bumrah remaining the only bowler to have avoided conceding a boundary in his two overs.
Head’s blistering innings of 62 runs off just 24 balls, adorned with nine fours and a six, left a resounding impact. Meanwhile, Abhishek’s aggressive batting predominantly revolved around sixes, as he smashed seven of them along with three fours en route to his 63 off just 23 deliveries.
The momentum, however, shifted in SRH’s favour following the dismissal of Tilak; captain Hardik Pandya (24 off 20 balls) was put in a spot by brilliant spells from Jaydev Unadkat, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Pat Cummins, and despite Tim David’s unbeaten 42 (off 22 deliveries), MI fell short by 31 runs.
The match did see multiple records being shattered by the end of it all, etching its name in IPL history.
Highest team totals in the IPL:
First and foremost, SRH broke the record for the most runs in a single innings by a team in the Indian Premier League. Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier held the record with 263/5 against the Pune Warriors India.
- 277/3 – SRH vs MI, Hyderabad, 2024
- 263/5 – RCB vs PWI, Bengaluru, 2013
- 257/5 – LSG vs PBKS, Mohali, 2023
- 248/3 – RCB vs GL, Bengaluru, 2016
- 246/5 – CSK vs RR, Chennai, 2010
Highest overall total in T20s
The 523 runs scored in the MI vs SRH IPL 2024 is the most overall runs in a T20 match. The previous best was 517 runs in a T20I between South Africa and West Indies.
Chasing first win
Sunrisers Hyderabad had faced a narrow defeat in the opening game but produced a brilliant batting effort, as they made a solid comeback in the mammoth 209-run chase; they lost the game by four runs, with Klaasen smashing 63 off just 29 balls.
MI, too, faced a defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans in their opener last week.
