Five times former champions Mumbai Indians fell short by 31 runs while chasing a mammoth target of 278, the highest target, set by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing TATA IPL 2024 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Tuesday night.

MI lost both their openers Ishan Kishan (34) and Rohit Sharma (26) inside the power play, after the duo had put on 56 runs for the first wicket in 20 balls to set the tone for the run chase before their dismissal in space of five balls with 66 runs on the board, however South paw Tilak Varma (64 off 34) and Naman Dhir (30 off 14) later stitched a solid 84-run partnership to give the side a solid hope. However, SRH experienced pacers Pat Cummins (2/35) and Jaydev Unadkat (2/47) bowled well at the death with their clever variations, to restrict their formidable opponents who managed to score 246 for 5 in the end, despite Tim David’s unbeaten 42 and skipper Hardik Pandya 24 .

Earlier put in to bat SRH’s opener Travis Head, playing his first IPL game this season, blasted a 24-ball 62, while former U-19 world cupper Abhishek Sharma slammed 63 off 23 to lay the foundation for the huge score. Heinrich Klassen (80) and Aiden Markram (42) provided the late charge, after their team were 148 for 2 at the halfway stage. The South African duo put on an unbeaten 116 runs for the fourth wicket in mere 55 balls that saw SRH score 277 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs.

In the process SRH joined the illustrious list of teams including defending champions Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru which won their opening home matches in the ongoing TATA IPL 2024.

Interesting Stats:

Highest Aggregate Match Total:  The combined score of 523 runs (SRH - 277/3  & MI - 246/5  is the most in the history of IPL and for that matter in a T20 game.

Most Sixes in the Match: 38 (MI – 20, SRH – 18) is the most in the history of IPL and for that matter in a T20 game.

Most Boundaries in the Match: The high scoring run fest witnessed 69 boundaries being hit in the match, the joint most in an IPL, equaling that in the match between CSK and Rajasthan Royals in Chennai in 2010.

Fastest Fifty in IPL 2024: SRH’s Travis Head announced his return to the IPL with a record 18-ball fifty against MI before being eclipsed by his fellow team mate Abhishek Sharma who registered a  16- ball  fifty against the same opponent.

Most runs conceded by a debutant: MI’s 17-year-old debutant Kwen Maphaka who conceded a  20 run over, ended up conceding 66 without a wicket in his four over spell. In the process he surpassed Michael Neser record of 62 for Punjab Kings against RCB in Mohali in 2013.

Highest IPL Total: SRH score of 277 is the highest-ever by a T20 franchise

Highest IPL Team Score Chasing: MI’s 246/5 is the highest ever total by a team batting second in IPL overhauling 226 by Rajasthan Royals against Punjab Kings in Sharjah in 2020.

Brief Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad - 277 for 3 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klassen 80* (34b: 4x4s, 7x6s), Travis Head 62 (24b: 9x4s, 3x6s), Abhishek Sharma 63 (23b: 3x4s 7x6s), Aiden Markram 42* (28b: 2x4s, 1x6); Piyush Chawla 1/34, Hardik Pandya 1/46, Gerald Coetze 1/57) beat Mumbai Indians - 246 for 5 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 64 (34b: 2x4s, 6x6s), Tim David 42* (22b: 2x4s, 3x6s), Ishan Kishan 34 (13b: 2x4s. 4x6s), Naman Dhir 30 (14b: 2x4s, 2x6s), Rohit Sharma 26 (12b: 1x4, 3x6s); Pat Cummins 2/35, Jaydev Unadkat 2/47, Shahbaz Ahmed 1/39) by 31 runs. Player of the Match: Abhishek Sharma (Sunrisers Hyderabad).

Photo above - Abhishek Sharma (Left) 16-ball blitz against Mumbai Indians ended up breaking Travis Head's record for the quickest fifty for SRH and laid the foundation for the highest team score in the history of IPL (Photo courtesy IPL)