Samira Vishwas
Tezzbuzz|26-05-2025
Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a batting masterclass and an all-round demolition of Kolkata Knight Riders in the 68th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Opting to bat first, SRH posted a mammoth 278/3, their third-highest-ever total in IPL history, thanks to a blistering 105 not out off 39 balls by Heinrich Klaasen and quickfire half-centuries from Travis Head (76 off 40) and Abhishek Sharma (32 off 16). In reply, KKR crumbled under scoreboard pressure, folding for just 168 in 18.4 overs, as Eshan Malinga, Jaydev Unadkat and Harsh Dubey bagged three wickets each to seal a commanding 110-run win. SRH ended their season on a high while KKR’s campaign concluded with an eighth-place finish.
Hyderabad’s innings was an absolute exhibition of power-hitting and fearless cricket. Abhishek got the ball rolling with a 16-ball 32 before falling to Sunil Narine, who also dismissed Head after his explosive 76 off 40 balls, filled with six fours and six sixes. But it was Klaasen who stole the show with an unbeaten 105 off just 39 balls, smashing seven fours and nine sixes at a staggering strike rate of 269.23Ishan kishan added a vital 29 off 20 before being dismissed late in the innings. SRH’s total of 278/3 was built on relentless acceleration and smart strike rotation, with 24 extras adding further damage. KKR’s bowling unit had no answers, as Anrich nortje (0/60), Varun chakravarthy (0/54), and Andre Russell (0/34) were taken apart with ruthless intent. Sunil Narine was the only bowler to show resistance, claiming 2/42 amidst the carnage.
Chasing an improbable 279, KKR’s innings fell apart quickly despite a brisk 31 off 16 from Narine. Unadkat turned the game with twin strikes, removing Narine and Ajinkya rahaneand later dismissed Manish Pandey to finish with figures of 3/24. Malinga’s variations rattled the middle order as he claimed 3/31, including key scalps of Quinton de Kock and Angrish raghuvanshi. Harsh Dubeyintroduced as the Impact Player, added more damage with 3/34, removing Rinu SinghRussell, and Ramandeep in quick succession. KKR were 76/5 at the halfway stage and never looked like recovering, despite Harshit rana’s entertaining 34 off 21. The 8th-wicket partnership between Rana and Pandey added a fighting 50 in just 19 balls, but it was too little, too late. The 110-run margin reflected SRH’s dominance in all departments and ensured they ended IPL 2025 on a memorable note.