In a thrilling display of batting prowess, Abhishek Sharma of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) made history on Saturday, April 12, 2025, by scoring his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) century in record time against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Sharma's explosive innings, which came off just 40 balls, not only marked a personal milestone but also positioned him as the third fastest Indian to reach a century in IPL history.
Chasing a daunting target of 246 runs, Sharma's blistering performance was crucial for SRH, who had been struggling at the bottom of the points table with only one win from their first five matches. Before this match, concerns loomed over Sharma's form, as he had failed to make a significant impact in the previous games. However, he shook off his poor run with a spectacular innings that included 11 fours and 6 sixes, ultimately scoring 141 runs off just 55 balls.
Sharma's innings was complemented by his opening partner, Travis Head, who contributed significantly with 67 runs off 36 deliveries, which included 9 fours and 3 sixes. Together, the duo formed a formidable partnership, adding 171 runs for the first wicket in just 12.2 overs, showcasing their aggressive batting style.
Abhishek reached his fifty in a mere 19 balls, setting the tone for what would become a historic chase. The opening stand between Sharma and Head is now the second-highest opening partnership in SRH's IPL history, trailing only behind the 185 runs set by Jonny Bairstow and David Warner against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2019.
As Sharma brought up his century in the 13th over, the crowd erupted in jubilation, giving him a standing ovation. After hitting the milestone, he displayed a white piece of paper to the fans, which read, "This one is for the Orange Army," a nod to the passionate SRH fanbase.
Sharma's century is not only a personal achievement but also a significant moment in IPL history. He now holds the record for the second-fastest century by an SRH batter, with only Travis Head's 39-ball ton against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024 ahead of him. The overall record for the fastest century in IPL belongs to Chris Gayle, who scored a 30-ball ton in 2013.
In the first innings, Punjab Kings had set a formidable target, scoring 245 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, largely thanks to a stunning knock from skipper Shreyas Iyer, who scored 82 runs off just 36 balls. This aggressive batting performance set the stage for an exciting chase, but few could have predicted the onslaught that was to follow from Sharma and Head.
With this victory, SRH not only secured a crucial win but also climbed out of the last position in the points table, moving up to eighth place. The team now has their sights set on their upcoming matches, including a clash against the Mumbai Indians (MI) in an away game followed by a home match against the same opponents six days later. They will then travel to Chennai to face the Yellow Army on April 25, 2025.
Sharma's performance has reignited hope for SRH fans, who have been eagerly waiting for their team to turn around its fortunes this season. With a total of 1,569 runs in the IPL now, Sharma has also crossed the 1,500 run mark with this innings, further solidifying his status as one of the rising stars in Indian cricket.
As the IPL season progresses, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma to see if he can maintain this form and help lead SRH to more victories. His explosive batting style and ability to perform under pressure will be crucial as the team seeks to make a push for the playoffs.
