What can one no-ball cost you?
An extra run? Sure.
An extra delivery? Yep.
A front-row seat to your own heartbreak? Just ask the Punjab Kings.
Yash Thakur took one tiny step over the line, and in return, handed Abhishek Sharma a golden ticket back to the crease—a ticket that came with fireworks, drama, and the kind of plot twist even Bollywood might reject for being too much.
At 28, Abhishek should’ve been walking back. Instead, he launched.
Out of form? More like out of orbit. After scores of 21, 6, 1, 2 and 18, some critics had quietly started writing him off. But boy, Abhishek reminded them that tough times don't last but tough people do.
A 55-ball-141. A target of 246 made into a cakewalk. And Hyderabad standing tall for the young opener.
And the twist of fate? Abhishek plays domestic cricket for Punjab. But on Saturday night, he didn’t just bite the hand that fed him—he dropped a six-course buffet on it.
Highest individual score by an SRH player - shattered. The highest score by an Indian in IPL history - crushed. All thanks to one little no-ball and one very, very angry young man in orange.
Message received: This was for the Orange Army. Loud, clear, and flaming hot.
With that win, the Sunrisers Hyderabad ended finally ended their 4-match losing run and returned to winning ways. The opening pair, which was instrumental in SRH reaching the final last year, has finally found its mojo back. Travis Head too scored a fiery 66 as the Sunrisers chased down the 2nd-highest total in IPL history.
Punjab Kings on the other hand have now lost 2 of their last 3 games. While their batters have been destructive, Punjab have some serious thinking to do as far as their bowling is concerned.
