HYDERABAD : In the Indian Premier League on Wednesday, Hyderabad Sunrisers defeated Mumbai Indians by 31 runs, shattering previous batting records and setting a new one with 523 runs in a Twenty20 match.
Heinrich Klassen’s thrilling 80 off 34 balls helped Hyderabad to 277-3, the highest total in IPL history. With scorching half-centuries, Travis Head (62) and Abhishek Sharma (63) set the standard.
Hyderabad’s impressive performance of 263-5 against Pune Warriors in 2013 broke Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL record and is now the third-highest men’s T20 total in history.
Together, the teams smashed 38 sixes, setting a new T20 world record.
By halftime, Mumbai’s top order batsmen were merciless in their run-chase, making only brief appearances. However, Hyderabad rallied with the help of captain Pat Cummins (2-35) and Jaydev Unadkat (2-47) in the second half, limiting the five-time champion to 246-5.
Mumbai’s half-century was raised in the first three overs by Rohit Sharma (26), and Ishan Kishan (34), before both fell in the next overs while chasing big blows.
A partnership of 84 runs was then put up by top scorer Tilak Varma (64 off 34 balls) and Naman Dhir (30), but Unadkat and Cummins took control when both batsmen misplayed their big strokes.
Tim David made an unbeaten 46 off 22 balls, but Hyderabad was in control during the death overs in a game where bowlers were punished for plenty.
Earlier, 17-year-old South African fast bowler Kwena Maphaka made his IPL debut with expensive figures of 0-66. Maphaka’s countryman Gerald Coetzee (1-57) was also hit as Hyderabad batters dominated the pacers from the onset.
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Mumbai’s ploy to hold back its ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah (0-36) didn’t work out well as Head smashed an 18-ball half-century and then Sharma raised the bar when he compiled his fifty off just 16 balls on a perfect batting wicket.
The South African duo of Klassen and Aiden Markram (42 not out) then carried on the momentum with an undefeated partnership of 116 off just 55 balls. Klassen’s explosive knock, which featured seven sixes and four boundaries, laid the groundwork for Hyderabad’s season-opening victory.