New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) A blazing unbeaten century from Heinrich Klaasen powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a record-shattering total of 278 for 3 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 68 of the Indian Premier League 2025 at Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Sunday.

Klaasen clobbered the KKR bowling attack into submission with a brutal 105 not out off just 39 balls, studded with 9 fours and 7 sixes, as SRH posted one of the highest team scores in IPL history. His onslaught ensured the hosts made full use of their decision to bat first after winning the toss.

SRH got off to a rollicking start, thanks to a brisk 32 off 16 balls from Abhishek Sharma, who set the tone in the powerplay before falling to Sunil Narine. Travis Head then took centre stage with a thunderous 76 off 40 balls (6x4, 6x6), dominating the middle overs before also being dismissed by Narine.

The platform was laid for Klaasen to launch, and the South African wicketkeeper-batsman did not disappoint. He was well-supported by Ishan Kishan, who chipped in with a useful 29 off 20, while Aniket Verma remained unbeaten on 12 in the final flourish.

Kolkata’s bowlers had no answers to the SRH assault. Narine (4-0-42-2) was the only one to return respectable figures, while the rest were dismantled — Anrich Nortje (4-0-60-0) and Harshit Rana (3-0-40-0) came in for particular punishment.

The Hyderabad innings also benefitted from 24 extras, including 14 wides and a no-ball, further compounding KKR’s woes.

With a monumental chase ahead, the pressure now shifts to the KKR batsmen to produce something extraordinary.

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