The Rajiv Gandhi Worldwide Stadium in Hyderabad, on Saturday, witnessed a spectacle that shall be etched in IPL historical past. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) explosive opener, Abhishek Sharma, delivered a wide ranging 141 off 55 balls, powering his crew to a record-breaking eight-wicket victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a large chase of 246. Whereas his innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, it was his distinctive century celebration—pulling out a paper be aware from his pocket—that captured the creativeness of followers and sparked widespread intrigue.
A knock for the ages: Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking hundred
Abhishek walked into the SRH vs PBKS conflict beneath strain. After a string of low scores in IPL 2025, with simply 51 runs in his first 5 innings, the 24-year-old was determined to show his price. Retained by SRH for INR 14 crore forward of the mega public sale, expectations have been sky-high for the left-hander, who had proven flashes of brilliance in earlier seasons. Towards PBKS, he didn’t simply silence his critics—he obliterated them.
Abhishek’s 141 included 14 fours and 10 sixes, struck at a blistering price of 256.36. His maiden IPL century got here off simply 40 balls, making it the sixth-fastest in IPL historical past and the second-fastest for SRH, behind Travis Head’s 39-ball ton in 2024. Partnering with Head (66 off 37), Abhishek solid a 171-run opening stand, laying the muse for SRH’s profitable chase of PBKS’s imposing 245/6.
Regardless of a no-ball reprieve early in his innings at 28, Abhishek made PBKS pay, breaking information left and proper. His 141 surpassed David Warner’s 126 as SRH’s highest particular person rating and KL Rahul’s 132 as the very best by an Indian in IPL historical past. It additionally marked the very best rating in an IPL chase, eclipsing Marcus Stoinis’s 124* from 2024.
Additionally READ: Fans erupt as Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head lead SRH to second-highest run chase in stunning win over PBKS in IPL 2025
The paper be aware celebration: A message from the guts
As Abhishek reached his century, the Uppal crowd erupted. Elevating his bat and eradicating his helmet, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small paper be aware, holding it aloft for all to see. The be aware learn, “This one is for the Orange Military”—a heartfelt tribute to SRH’s passionate fanbase. The gesture sparked a frenzy on social media and left commentators and teammates buzzing.
Right here is the video:
𝘼 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚-𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙏𝙊𝙉 💯
A surprising maiden #TATAIPL century from Abhishek Sharma retains #SRH on 🔝 on this chase 💪
Updates ▶ https://t.co/RTe7RlXDRq#TATAIPL | #SRHvPBKS | @SunRisers pic.twitter.com/ANgdm1n86w
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 12, 2025
