Pocket dynamo Kishan fires on SRH debut, powering his team to second-highest IPL total ever

Hyderabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have once again showcased their devastating batting power, setting an imposing target of 287 runs for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their IPL 2025 clash. After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, RR found themselves at the receiving end of an onslaught from SRH’s top order, as the hosts posted a total of 286 runs, the second-highest score in IPL history.

This mammoth total is just one run short of the highest-ever IPL score, also held by SRH. In an ironic twist, the record for the most runs in a match still belongs to the same team that now faces a daunting task to defend their title as the creators of IPL’s highest total.

From the outset, it was a steady yet aggressive approach from SRH. Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head laid a solid foundation during the powerplay, keeping the momentum high with some early fireworks. Once the foundation was set, Ishan Kishan, making his debut for SRH, stole the spotlight with an incredible hundred, showing the world exactly why he was signed by the franchise. 

The onslaught continued as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen maintained the relentless pressure on RR’s bowlers, ensuring that the boundaries kept flowing and no respite was offered to the opposition. Kishan’s remarkable century on debut was undoubtedly the highlight of the innings, adding further excitement to an already high-scoring affair.

The Royals now face the unenviable task of chasing down the highest-ever target in T20 cricket, needing 287 runs to win. With the game poised on a knife-edge, all eyes will be on Rajasthan’s batsmen as they attempt to chase this colossal total.