Cricket fans in New Chandigarh were treated to a power-hitting spectacle as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) clashed in an IPL 2026 encounter that rewrote the record books for powerplay scoring. On April 11, 2026, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, SRH stormed to 105 runs without loss in the first six overs, marking only the fifth time in IPL history that a team has crossed the 100-run threshold during the powerplay. The feat, achieved by the explosive opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, instantly set social media abuzz and left cricket pundits scrambling for the record books.
Heading into the contest, Punjab Kings were brimming with confidence. Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, PBKS had emerged as one of the most balanced outfits of the season, chasing down a 200-plus target against Chennai Super Kings and outwitting Gujarat Titans on a tricky surface. Their team-first approach was evident, with Xavier Bartlett’s impact with the ball and significant contributions from Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly. The Kings were eager to make a statement, especially after a rain-hit washout against Kolkata Knight Riders had denied them a third straight win.
In contrast, Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the match searching for consistency. Despite boasting a star-studded top order featuring Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, SRH had struggled to fire regularly, with collapses in key matches marring their campaign. While Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen had shown flashes of brilliance, the bowling unit—particularly Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat—had yet to make a significant impact. The match in New Chandigarh was seen as a critical opportunity for SRH to turn their season around.
The stage was set for a high-scoring affair, with the pitch described as a batting paradise. Square boundaries ranged between 64 and 70 meters, and the straight boundary measured 74 meters, providing ample incentive for batters to go big. The surface, rock-hard and true, offered little for spinners and promised consistent bounce throughout the afternoon. With an average first-innings score of 217 at the venue and no dew expected to affect play, both teams prepared for a run-fest under hazy sunshine and a temperature hovering around 32°C.
As the match began, all eyes were on the predicted XIs. Punjab Kings fielded a lineup featuring Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, captain Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Arshdeep Singh, with Yuzvendra Chahal as the impact substitute. Sunrisers Hyderabad countered with Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (c & wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Jaydev Unadkat, with Eshan Malinga as their impact sub. The squads boasted depth and firepower, setting up a tantalizing contest.
What followed in the powerplay was nothing short of extraordinary. After a relatively quiet start—just 20 runs coming off the first two overs—Abhishek Sharma ignited the fireworks with two fours and two sixes in a 24-run over bowled by Arshdeep Singh. Travis Head soon joined the party, taking Marco Jansen for two fours and a six in the fourth over. The momentum swung firmly in SRH’s favor as Abhishek launched Vijaykumar Vyshak for a sequence of 6, 0, 6, 6, 0, 6, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Head began the final over of the powerplay with a hat-trick of fours off Xavier Bartlett, and Abhishek capped it with yet another six, bringing the total to an eye-watering 105 for no loss after six overs.
This remarkable achievement placed SRH alongside some of the most explosive powerplay performances in IPL history. The highest remains their own 125 for 0 against Delhi Capitals in 2024, a match where Head hammered 84 not out off just 26 balls and Abhishek blazed to 40 from ten deliveries. That season saw the birth of the "Travishek" partnership, which left bowlers across the league shell-shocked. Another memorable outing came in 2024, when SRH posted 107 for 0 in the powerplay against Lucknow Super Giants, chasing down 166 inside ten overs. Abhishek started the carnage with four consecutive boundaries off Yash Thakur, while Head dismantled K Gowtham and Naveen-ul-Haq, finishing the powerplay with a flourish.
Other teams have also etched their names into powerplay folklore. In 2017, Kolkata Knight Riders, powered by Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn, raced to 105 for 0 in the first six overs against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Narine’s 15-ball fifty was, at the time, the joint-fastest in IPL history. Punjab Kings themselves have a powerplay record to their name, having scored 105 for 0 in the first six overs—though this time, they were on the receiving end of the Travishek onslaught. And let’s not forget Chennai Super Kings’ 100 for 2 in the 2014 Qualifier 2 against Kings XI Punjab, a blitzkrieg led by Suresh Raina that, despite the fireworks, ended in defeat for CSK.
Reflecting on the latest feat, it’s clear that the SRH opening pair has a knack for making history. Their ability to clear boundaries at will and maintain an astronomical run rate has redefined what’s possible in the powerplay. According to the match summary, "All three boundaries until then had come from Abhishek, who then smashed two fours and two sixes in a 24-run over from Arshdeep Singh. Head got into the act in the fourth over. He took Marco Jansen for two fours and a six, before Abhishek launched Vijaykumar Vyshak for 6, 0, 6, 6, 0, 6. Head began the final over of the powerplay with 4, 4, 4 off Xavier Bartlett, whom Abhishek also took for a six." The partnership’s relentless aggression left PBKS bowlers with few answers and the cricket world in awe.
For Punjab Kings, the challenge now is to regroup and rediscover the balance that brought them early-season success. With a strong squad led by Shreyas Iyer and bolstered by all-rounders like Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen, PBKS remain contenders in the tournament. Their ability to chase big totals and adapt to different conditions will be tested as the season progresses.
As for Sunrisers Hyderabad, this powerplay masterclass offers a timely boost. If Head and Abhishek can maintain even a fraction of this form, SRH’s campaign could be reignited, and their much-feared top order might finally deliver on its immense promise. With the league stage heating up and playoff spots on the line, both teams know there’s everything to play for.
With the match still ongoing, cricket fans will be glued to their screens to see whether SRH can capitalize on their record-breaking start or if PBKS can mount a memorable comeback. Either way, April 11, 2026, will be remembered as the day the powerplay redefined the art of T20 batting in the IPL.