Sunrisers Hyderabad needed something special after four straight defeats—and they delivered one of the most unforgettable run chases in IPL history. Chasing a mammoth total, they pulled off the second-highest successful chase ever in the tournament, led by a stunning one-man show from Abhishek Sharma.

It was the kind of inning that leaves even seasoned viewers a bit speechless. Shreyas Iyer looked shell-shocked on the sidelines, while the Hyderabad crowd stood on their feet long after the winning runs were hit, soaking in every second of the madness they’d just 

witnessed. Abhishek’s knock wasn’t just explosive—it was magical, and a stark reminder of how unforgiving cricket can be. He was dropped on 4 by Marcus Stoinis, reprieved again when he was caught off a no-ball on 28, and survived another tough chance on 56 when Yuzvendra Chahal couldn’t hold on to a return catch. Three chances, none taken—and Abhishek made the opposition pay, and then some.

With Lockie Ferguson leaving the field injured, Rajasthan’s bowling attack lost its bite. Meanwhile, Abhishek went into overdrive. He used the crease smartly, shuffled to counter the wide lines, and simply didn’t let up. Every bowler who came at him was sent packing—boundaries rained, and the required rate melted away.

Travis Head, usually the aggressor, took the backseat for most of the chase. Klaasen and Ishan chipped in too, but this was Abhishek’s night. Just look at the numbers—141 off 55 balls from him, while the rest of the trio managed 96 off 57 combined.

It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. A reminder that on their day, SRH can blow any side out of the water. And as for Abhishek? This innings might just be the moment that defines his IPL journey.

Continue the story here:Abhishek Sharma's 141 off 55 helps record second-highest IPL chase

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International games

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Litton Das out of PSL with injury; Karachi Kings pick up Ben McDermott as a replacement.

Karachi Kings have suffered an early setback ahead of their PSL 2025 campaign, with Bangladesh’s Litton Das ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a thumb injury during a training session. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was picked in the Silver Category this season, expressed his disappointment in missing out.

“Unfortunately, I couldn't be part of this tournament, even though I was really looking forward to it,” Litton said via the team’s official website. “Life can be unpredictable – just my bad luck.”

Filling in for Litton will be Australian keeper-batter Ben McDermott, who is all set to make his debut in the PSL. McDermott arrives in good form, fresh off helping the Hobart Hurricanes clinch their first Big Bash League title earlier this year. His strike rate of nearly 145 in the tournament—including a valuable cameo in the final—adds firepower to Karachi’s top order.

In another squad update, Karachi Kings confirmed that Kane Williamson will miss the first five games of the season due to partial unavailability. The Kiwi star is expected to join the squad after the Karachi leg of the tournament concludes on April 21. In his absence, the team has roped in Saad Baig, the current Pakistan U19 captain, who’s been making waves with his leadership and batting talent.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi have brought in a name that fans will be thrilled to see again—Ihsanullah, the tearaway pacer who last played in the PSL in 2023. After a long and challenging recovery from a serious elbow injury, which the PCB later admitted was mishandled, Ihsanullah is finally back. Zalmi fans will be hoping his return adds fire to their pace attack, starting with their opening game against Quetta Gladiators on Saturday.

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings

PBKS 245/6 (20)

SRH 247/2 (18.3)

Sunrisers Hyderabad won by 8 wkts

^{Match Preview}

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's tough season at home has them looking for a fresh start in Jaipur. Their away form has been strong, with wins in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai, thanks to a revitalized middle order. Now, they hope Sawai Mansingh Stadium can offer the spark they need, as they face a Rajasthan Royals side that’s also struggling with consistency.

RR have had an inconsistent run so far, winning two on the bounce before a heavy defeat in their last game. This stop-start pattern has been a theme for them in recent years, where strong starts have often been followed by slumps.

For RCB, the key will be regrouping after their loss to Delhi Capitals and handling Jofra Archer’s pace attack. A win here would give them a big confidence boost on the road, but with Rajasthan still finding their rhythm, it promises to be a closely contested match.

Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians

After unseasonal rains and dust storms interrupted their practice sessions, Mumbai Indians are desperate for a turnaround in their IPL 2025 campaign. With only one win in five matches, they are up against an in-form Delhi Capitals side that remains unbeaten at the top of the table.

Delhi comes into the match with four wins in a row, including two away victories in Chennai and Bengaluru. Their star performer, KL Rahul, has been in explosive form, particularly in the PowerPlay, raising his strike rate to 180 and hitting boundaries with greater frequency. This form has helped DC recover from early wickets and establish dominance.

Mumbai’s struggles, on the other hand, are evident. Ryan Rickelton has found it hard to get going, and Rohit Sharma’s dip in form is a significant concern—he's crossed 20 just once in his last 11 IPL innings. In addition, their bowling attack has been disappointing. Their PowerPlay bowling has been the second-worst in the league, while their economy rate at the death has been the highest in IPL 2025.

For MI to bounce back, their batters need to step up and challenge Delhi’s strong unit. While DC has covered up the lack of form from Jake Fraser-McGurk with Rahul's resurgence and a solid lower order, MI’s middle-order inconsistencies remain a worry.

With their backs against the wall, Mumbai needs to find a way to stop Delhi’s unbeaten streak and claw their way out of the bottom half of the table.

Player Biographies:

Abhishek Sharma 

Abhishek Sharma is one of the brightest young stars in Indian cricket—a fearless left-handed batter with a flair for big shots and a handy left-arm spin option. Born on September 4, 2000, in Amritsar, Punjab, cricket was in his blood from the start. His father was a cricketer and coach, and it was under his guidance that Abhishek took his first steps in the game.

But what truly changed his path was a special mentor—Yuvraj Singh. As a teenager, Abhishek trained under the legendary southpaw, learning the finer points of clean hitting and match awareness. Yuvraj’s influence can be seen in Abhishek’s fearless approach and ability to dominate spinners. The two share a special bond, and Abhishek often credits Yuvi for shaping his mindset as a cricketer.

He made headlines with his performances in the U-19 World Cup in 2018, where he was part of India’s title-winning squad. Later that year, he made a cracking IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils, smashing a 19-ball fifty. But it’s with Sunrisers Hyderabad that Abhishek has really found his groove, especially as an opener.

Whether it's blazing starts in the powerplay or clever use of the crease, Abhishek is quickly becoming a crowd favourite. He’s yet to make his international debut, but with the way he's going, it’s only a matter of time before he dons the India jersey.

On This Day

Exactly ten years after he first etched his name into the record books, Brian Lara did it again—this time with even more history on the line. In the fourth Test against England in St John's, Antigua, Lara became the first cricketer ever to reclaim the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, finishing unbeaten on 400.

Lara’s monumental effort came in a moment of crisis for the West Indies, who were on the verge of a humiliating 4-0 whitewash. With his captaincy hanging by a thread, many believed even a century might not be enough to keep him at the helm. But what followed was an innings for the ages.

On a docile, batter-friendly pitch, Lara played with his trademark flair and finesse, surpassing Matthew Hayden’s 380, which the Australian had smashed just six months earlier against Zimbabwe in Perth.

What made this knock more special was the context. Lara wasn’t just chasing a record—he was leading a team that had been battered throughout the series. His 400 not only restored pride in the dressing room but also served as a bold statement of defiance and brilliance.

Once again, Brian Charles Lara reminded the cricketing world why he is one of the game’s greatest-ever artists with the bat.

Coming tomorrow

• Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

• Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians

What else is happening

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