New Delhi: Abhishek Sharma, opening batter for Sunrisers Hyderabad, recorded his first-ever century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a powerful display of hitting against Punjab Kings. The left-handed batter powered SRH to a stunning victory over PBKS by 8 wickets at Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Hyderabad.

Electing to bat first, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer unleashed a scintillating 82 off just 36 deliveries, peppered with six fours and an equal number of towering sixes, propelling his team to a formidable 245/6 despite a four-wicket haul by Harshal Patel (4/42).

Yet, it was Abhishek Sharma — enduring a lean run this season — who stole the limelight with an incredible display of power-hitting. Dropped twice during his innings, the left-hander exploded with 10 maximums and 14 boundaries, registering the highest individual score by an Indian in IPL history. SRH, sitting at the bottom of the standings, chased down the stiff target with ease, reaching 247 in just 18.3 overs and ending a four-match losing run.

To add to PBKS’s woes, Lockie Ferguson sustained a hamstring injury after bowling only two balls, leaving Iyer a bowler short.

While Abhishek led the charge, bringing up his fifty in a mere 19 deliveries, Travis Head offered vital support with a classy 66 off 37, studded with three sixes and nine fours. The duo stitched together a record-breaking 171-run stand for the first wicket, dismantling the massive target with ease.

The 24-year-old from Punjab tore through the PBKS bowling with unrelenting aggression. Marco Jansen was put under pressure early, conceding four boundaries in his opening over, while Yash Thakur was belted for two sixes and a four, with SRH racing to 60 in just four overs.

Glenn Maxwell was greeted with a six over extra cover and a boundary, but the most damage came against Yuzvendra Chahal — who not only dropped Abhishek on his follow-through but was also dispatched deep into the mid-wicket stands.

Initially playing second fiddle, Head shifted gears in the ninth over, smashing Maxwell for two consecutive sixes. With SRH in overdrive, Iyer tried seven different bowlers within the first nine overs, but none could break through, partly due to lackluster fielding.

Abhishek shifted gears again in the 10th over, hammering Jansen for two sixes and a pair of boundaries as SRH surged to 143/0 at the halfway stage.

Chahal eventually ended the opening partnership in the 13th over when Head holed out at long-on. Abhishek soon reached his maiden IPL century off just 40 balls, celebrating by pulling a sheet of white paper from his pocket.

Needing 60 runs from the final six overs, Abhishek carried on with two sixes and a four off Chahal, taking SRH past the 200-run mark in the 15th over.

Thakur was punished with another six and four, before Arshdeep Singh finally dismissed Abhishek in the 17th. But by then, the game was well in SRH’s grasp. Heinrich Klaasen (21) and Ishan Kishan (9) completed the chase with ease.

Earlier, the PBKS innings began with a fiery 66-run partnership between openers Priyansh Arya (36) and Prabhsimran Singh (42). But it was skipper Iyer who anchored the middle with a whirlwind 82 from 36 balls, clubbing six fours and six sixes. He also added 73 off 40 balls with Nehal Wadhera (22).

Marcus Stoinis provided the final surge, smashing Mohammed Shami (0/75) for four sixes in succession during the last over, lifting Punjab to an imposing total.

On a batting-friendly surface, PBKS blazed to 89/1 in the powerplay. Prabhsimran kickstarted the assault with three boundaries off Shami before Priyansh attacked Pat Cummins with a six and two fours. The left-hander then struck Shami for two sixes and a four, followed by a Prabhsimran flick over the ropes.

Harshal Patel (4/42) broke the stand by outfoxing Priyansh with a slower ball. PBKS were 66/1 at that point. Harshal almost dismissed Prabhsimran as well, but Abhishek put down a tough chance. Iyer capped off the powerplay with a big six.

On debut, Eshan Malinga (2/45) sent back Prabhsimran, though Iyer and Wadhera went after him in his next over. Zeeshan Ansari, tight with the ball early, was eventually taken for two sixes and a cheeky reverse-swept four by Iyer, who later brought up his half-century against Shami.

Punjab stumbled with two quick losses — Malinga bowled Wadhera, and Harshal got Shashank Singh (2) via DRS — leaving them at 168/4 in the 15th. However, Iyer kept firing before falling alongside Maxwell in the 18th, both dismissed by Harshal.

Stoinis ended the innings with a flourish, punishing Shami in the final over to help PBKS reach a daunting total.