By Callistus Davy
The Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket spectacle showed that the game is no longer just for self-styled pundits or experts, as a relatively unknown batsman, Abhishek Sharma, slammed a devastating 141 in just 55 balls. His blistering knock helped Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chase down a mammoth score of 245 set by the Punjab Kings XI on Saturday.
Amid thunderous roars from the packed stadium in Hyderabad, Abhishek tore into the bowlers in a way no one expected, smashing 14 fours and 10 sixes.
The 24-year-old left-hander made all the seasoned pros on either side look like mere amateurs. Opposing captain Shreyas Iyer could only hope the batsman would make a mistake. Abhishek reached his century in just 40 balls and, by the time he was dismissed, Sunrisers Hyderabad had already sealed the game, reaching 222 in just 16.2 overs.
The end result marked the highest successful run chase in the 2025 IPL and the second-highest in the tournament’s history since its inception in 2008. The previous best came when Punjab Kings chased down 262 to beat Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, with Jonny Bairstow scoring an unbeaten 108.
Abhishek’s 141 also became the highest individual score in a successful run chase in IPL history, surpassing the previous best of 124 not out by Marcus Stoinis against Chennai Super Kings in 2024.
His record-breaking performance also etched his name in Indian cricketing history, as he now holds the record for the highest score by an Indian in the IPL, overtaking KL Rahul’s 132 not out for Punjab Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2020.
In the process, Abhishek joined the elite list of IPL century makers, ranking behind only Chris Gayle, who still holds the record with 175 not out for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013, and Brendon McCullum, who made 158.
Gayle reached his hundred in just 30 balls—the fastest in IPL history—just 10 deliveries quicker than Abhishek, who now proudly stands among the league’s most explosive batters.
