Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head showcased a remarkable performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad in a crucial IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings. The explosive opening pair, which wreaked havoc last season, struggled to find their footing early in the current season before making a significant impact in Sunday’s clash.

Chasing a challenging target of 246 runs, Sharma and Head turned the match in their favor, with Abhishek scoring a stunning 141 runs off just 55 balls, featuring 14 fours and 10 sixes, while Head contributed a solid 66 runs off 37 balls, including nine fours and three sixes. Together, they formed a breathtaking 171-run partnership for the opening wicket in just 12.2 overs, leaving Punjab Kings bewildered despite their imposing total.

In a memorable moment, Abhishek Sharma held up a note proclaiming, “This one’s for the Orange Army,” as he celebrated reaching his century against Punjab Kings. The explosive partnership between Sharma and Head not only thrilled fans but also made the daunting chase appear effortless, marking it as the third-highest opening wicket partnership in IPL history. Such dominance at the crease made it one of those rare occasions where Head played a supporting role in a partnership.

Abhishek completed his century with a single off Yuzvendra Chahal and celebrated by revealing the note he had secretly kept in his pocket. In a playful post-match interview, Head teased Abhishek, stating, “The note has been in the pocket of Abhishek Sharma for six games; glad it came out tonight.”

The victory was particularly significant for Sunrisers Hyderabad as it marked their second win of the season, breaking a four-match losing streak and elevating them to eighth place in the points table. Head elaborated on their approach at the start of the innings, explaining that he and Abhishek decided to take a moment to settle in before aggressively targeting the bowling attack of Punjab Kings.

“Not bad, nice to get on the winners list. Exceptional night; we needed it. We gave ourselves a chance, showed a bit more patience at the start,” Head noted, highlighting the importance of encouragement and targeted strategies that contributed to their successful partnership.

In a significant moment for his career, 28-year-old Delhi batsman Himmat Singh has secured his first Indian Premier League (IPL) call-up, joining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for their match against the Gujarat Titans. Singh steps into the playing XI as a replacement for Australian star Mitchell Marsh, who is unavailable due to his daughter’s illness, marking a notable debut opportunity for the young talent.

Marsh’s absence is a blow for LSG, given his stellar form in IPL 2025. Currently third in the Orange Cap race, Marsh has amassed 265 runs in five matches, with four half-centuries and a single duck, making him a key pillar of the team’s batting lineup.

Who is Himmat Singh?

Hailing from Delhi, Himmat Singh brings a robust T20 resume to the IPL stage. With 55 T20 matches for Delhi under his belt, he has scored 917 runs at an electrifying strike rate of 133. His recent domestic performances have turned heads, particularly in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s premier T20 domestic tournament, where he smashed 197 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 148.

Singh also made waves in the Delhi Premier League, racking up 381 runs in 10 innings, placing him among the tournament’s top scorers. Only Priyansh Arya and Singh’s new LSG teammate Ayush Badoni outscored him. Notably, Arya has already left a mark in IPL 2025, hammering a century for Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings, setting a high bar for Singh to emulate.

Spotlight on the debutant

As Himmat Singh prepares to take the field, expectations are high for the Delhi batter to seize this chance to shine. His aggressive batting style and proven consistency in domestic circuits make him a promising addition to LSG’s lineup. Fans are eager to see if Singh can replicate Arya’s IPL heroics and deliver a standout performance on one of cricket’s biggest stages.

With Marsh’s return uncertain, Singh’s debut could be a turning point, not just for his career but also for LSG’s campaign.

Glenn Phillips has officially exited the Gujarat Titans squad midway through the IPL 2025 season due to a groin injury. The New Zealand all-rounder sustained this injury while playing as a substitute fielder during the Titans’ away match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6. His departure marks a significant loss for the team, especially considering his reputation for exceptional all-round abilities and electrifying fielding.

At 28 years old, Phillips has not yet made a match appearance this season, having only participated as a substitute fielder. The injury occurred while he was attempting to stop the ball, highlighting the risks that come with such high-stakes competition. This unfortunate news arrived just hours ahead of the Titans’ crucial match against the Lucknow Super Giants, amplifying the challenges the team faces as they continue to vie for dominance in the league.

In a statement, the Gujarat Titans expressed their support and well wishes for Phillips, hoping for a speedy recovery. The franchise had secured Phillips during the auction at his base price of INR 2 crore, following an impressive run in the Champions Trophy where New Zealand finished as runners-up. His athleticism and fielding prowess, demonstrated through jaw-dropping catches in challenging conditions, had made fans and analysts excited about his potential contributions on the field for the Titans.

Despite the anticipation surrounding his arrival, Phillips leaves the squad without having played in a single match. This situation reflects the unpredictable nature of competitive sports, where injuries can derail even the best-laid plans.

As the Titans prepare for their upcoming clash against the Lucknow Super Giants, they will need to strategize without Phillips. The matchup promises to be intriguing, especially with Nicholas Pooran in tremendous form for LSG, going up against Gujarat’s formidable Mohammed Siraj. Currently, Gujarat Titans sit atop the table with four consecutive victories and a total of 8 points, leveraging a better net run-rate compared to the Delhi Capitals, who also have four wins. The upcoming encounter in the sweltering Lucknow heat will be a test of skill and resilience for both teams.