Hyderabad, Apr 12 (UNI) A breathtaking display of fearless power-hitting, led by skipper Shreyas Iyer's scintillating 82 off just 36 balls, saw Punjab Kings pile on a mammoth 245 for 6 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Match 27 of the IPL 2025 here on Saturday.

Iyer’s assault included six fours and six sixes, coming at a strike rate of 227.78. He was ably supported by openers Priyansh Arya (36 off 13) and Prabhsimran Singh (42 off 23), who tore into the SRH pacers early on and laid the perfect foundation with a 66-run opening stand inside the powerplay.

What followed was a sustained demolition of the SRH bowling attack. Mohammed Shami endured a nightmare, conceding 75 runs in his four overs, including four sixes in a row by Marcus Stoinis in the final over. Stoinis finished unbeaten on 34 off 11 balls, striking at an eye-watering 309.09.

Punjab raced to 89/1 at the end of the powerplay, with Hyderabad bowlers struggling to find any rhythm or line of defence. Prabhsimran played a commanding hand, peppering the off-side with precision before holing out to Pat Cummins off Eshan Malinga. The young pacer Malinga, reminiscent of his legendary namesake, returned 2/45, including a sharp yorker to trap Nehal Wadhera (27) plumb in front.

Iyer then took charge, launching Zeeshan Ansari, Malinga, and Cummins to all parts of the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. His innings included a series of effortless lofts over extra cover and signature reverse sweeps, even as wickets fell at the other end. Glenn Maxwell’s poor run continued as he fell for 3, attempting a scoop that deflected off his leg stump, giving Harshal Patel his third wicket.

Patel was the pick of the bowlers for SRH, claiming 4/42, including the key wickets of Iyer, Maxwell, and Arya. However, even he could not stem the flow of runs, as Punjab found boundaries almost every over.

The final over was the icing on Punjab's towering cake. Shami, returning to bowl the 20th, was clobbered for four consecutive sixes by Stoinis — a brutal exhibition of wrist strength and clean hitting. The veteran quick went wicketless in his spell, with an economy of 18.80.

Extras contributed 14 to the total, with 12 wides adding to SRH’s agony.

Earlier, Punjab won the toss and opted to bat first on a belter of a pitch — a decision that paid off handsomely.

SRH will now require a record-breaking chase of 246 to stay in the hunt, as the visitors have sent out a strong statement after their recent defeats.

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