Sunrisers Hyderabad kicked off their IPL 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, hammering Rajasthan Royals by 44 runs after posting a staggering 286 for six—the second-highest total in tournament history.
Ishan Kishan made an explosive debut for SRH, smashing an unbeaten 106 off just 47 balls, while Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma provided a blistering start.
Despite fighting knocks from Dhruv Jurel (70) and Sanju Samson (66), Rajasthan Royals could only muster 242 for six in reply.
Archer’s nightmare spell enters IPL record books
Jofra Archer endured a torrid evening, conceding 76 runs in his four-over spell—the most expensive in IPL history. His figures surpassed the previous record held by Gujarat Titans’ Mohit Sharma, who conceded 73 runs in 2024.
Put into bat after RR stand-in skipper Riyan Parag won the toss, SRH wasted no time in unleashing mayhem.
Ishan Kishan’s debut ton leads SRH’s carnage
Sunrisers turned the contest into a batting bloodbath, with Kishan announcing himself in style with a sensational maiden century for the franchise.
Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head set the stage with an all-out assault at the top, ensuring SRH raced towards a monumental total.
Rajasthan Royals fielded Archer alongside Shimron Hetmyer, Maheesh Theekshana, and Fazalhaq Farooqi as their overseas players, while SRH handed debuts to big-money signing Kishan and Abhinav Manohar.
Noor Ahmed's dream debut rattles Mumbai at Chepauk
Afghanistan’s rising spin sensation Noor Ahmad made an instant impact in his first outing for Chennai Super Kings, picking up 4/18 to leave Mumbai Indians struggling for momentum at Chepauk.
The 19-year-old bamboozled MI’s middle order, ensuring the five-time champions could only manage a below-par 155/9 in their IPL 2025 opener.
CSK, opting to bowl first, set the tone early. Khaleel Ahmed (3/29) struck in the powerplay, removing both openers — Rohit Sharma for a four-ball duck and Ryan Rickelton (13 off 7).
Rohit, returning to T20s after nine months, miscued a flick straight to Shivam Dube at mid-wicket, continuing his lean run against Khaleel.
Rickelton, playing his first game for MI, looked promising but chopped on to his stumps.
R Ashwin, back in CSK colours after a decade, got into the act soon after, dismissing Will Jacks in his first over. At 36 for 3, MI needed a rebuild.
Stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav (29 off 26) and the ever-reliable Tilak Varma (31 off 25) added 51 runs before Noor Ahmad took centre stage. First, he outfoxed Suryakumar with a sharp delivery, and MS Dhoni’s lightning-fast hands did the rest.
The former India skipper dislodged the bails before Suryakumar could complete his bat swing, proving yet again why he remains one of the sharpest glovemen in the game.
Noor tightened the screws further, removing Tilak Varma with a well-disguised googly and trapping Robin Minz in quick succession.
Naman Dhir followed soon after, missing a delivery that crashed into his stumps.
A late effort from Deepak Chahar (28* off 15), playing against his former team, ensured MI crossed the 150-mark.
But with the way the Chepauk pitch played, CSK would have walked off the field feeling they had done their job. Now, it was up to their batters to capitalise.
