Credit: @SunRisers
From Warner & Bairstow's record blitz to Markram's mayhem, SRH revisits their most explosive batting masterclasses
The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are a franchise synonymous with explosive batting and clinical finishing. Since their inception in 2013, the Orange Army has consistently produced some of the most thrilling batting displays in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
From record-breaking totals to match-winning partnerships, SRH batsmen have left fans awestruck on numerous occasions. Let's delve into the top three highest scores posted by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, reliving the moments that cemented their reputation as a batting powerhouse.
The year is 2024, and the venue is the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH locks horns with their arch-rivals, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Batting first, the Orange Army unleashed a carnage on the bowlers.
This wasn't just a high score; it was a complete dismantling of the RCB bowling attack. Openers Abhishek Sharma (34) and Travis Head (102) got the innings off to a flying start, laying a solid foundation with a 98-run partnership.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad posted highest score in IPL history
What followed was a masterclass in power-hitting by Aiden Markram (32) and Heinrich Klaasen (67). Markram, known for his elegant strokeplay, surprised everyone with his brute force, smashing sixes at will. Klaasen, the wicketkeeper batsman, played the role of the finisher, adding quick runs towards the end.
The duo stitched together a magnificent 151-run partnership, leaving the RCB bowlers clueless. By the end of the innings, a mammoth 287 runs were on the board, the highest total ever recorded by SRH and in IPL history.
Earlier in the 2024 season, SRH had another batting masterclass against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Put in to bat first, the Orange Army displayed a clinical approach, with each batsman contributing significantly.
The innings revolved around a magnificent knock by Australian opener Travis Head. Head, known for his unorthodox strokeplay, played a calculated innings, finding the gaps consistently and punishing loose deliveries. He anchored the inning with a well-compiled 62 runs.
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No single big contribution just three batters shared fifties each
The later part of the inning saw a cameo by Abhishek Sharma, who played a quickfire 63 runs off just 23 deliveries. However, the highlight was the explosive partnership between Aiden Markram (42) and Heinrich Klaasen (80). The duo played their natural game, taking full advantage of the batting-friendly Wankhede pitch. They rotated the strike smartly and unleashed some powerful shots, propelling the SRH score to a daunting 277/3.
The year is 2019, and the venue is once again the familiar Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. This time, the Sunrisers Hyderabad lock horns with their arch-rivals, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). SRH wins the toss and elects to bat, a decision that proves to be a masterstroke. What unfolds is a masterclass in opening partnerships and rewriting the record books in the IPL.
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Both the openers registered their century
Jonny Bairstow (114) and David Warner (100), the SRH openers, take the attack to the RCB bowlers from the very first ball. Bairstow, the aggressive wicket-keeper batsman, takes centre stage early on, unleashing a flurry of boundaries. He reaches his fifty off just 28 balls, showcasing his power-hitting prowess. Warner, the ever-reliable opener, doesn't lag behind.
The duo continues their onslaught, leaving the RCB bowlers clueless. Bairstow reaches his maiden IPL century in style, celebrating with the iconic Warner jump and helmet raise. Warner follows suit shortly after, bringing up his hundred in the 19th over. Their partnership helped SRH reach a staggering total of 231 runs.
