Sunrisers Hyderabad smashed their way to the highest ever IPL score of 278/5 against Mumbai Indians in Hyderabad yesterday. SRH batters blasted a record 38 sixes between them to beat the previous IPL record for most maximums scored in a single match.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma got SRH off to a flying start, smashing half-centuries at a blistering pace. Head reached his fifty in just 18 balls – the fastest for SRH ever – while Abhishek followed soon after in 16 balls. The duo added 68 quick runs to put Mumbai on the backfoot early.
Heinrich Klassen then continued the boundary hitting for SRH. Whether it was pace or spin, the SRH middle order batsman cleared the ropes with ease all around the ground. Klassen has already smashed 15 sixes in just two matches this season.
However, Mumbai missed a trick by not using their premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah more in the Powerplay overs when SRH were free scoring. Bumrah was held back till the 13th over with the score at 180/3, by which time the damage was already done.
Chasing the huge total, Mumbai got off to another flying start through Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. But SRH captain Pat Cummins applied the brakes in a crucial 15th over after the time out, taking three crucial wickets.
Jaydev Unadkat was the unlikely hero for SRH, conceding just 30 runs in his four overs and taking two wickets. His subtle slower balls and changes of pace caught Mumbai batters by surprise. SRH held their nerve in the death overs to seal a 31-run win and claim their first victory of IPL 2024.
