Punjab Kings have etched their name into T20 history with a chase that will be talked about for a long time. They became the first team in the format to successfully pursue 200-plus totals on 10 separate occasions, adding another chapter with a six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Shreyas Iyer set the tone, staying unbeaten on 69 as Punjab handled a target of 220 with calm efficiency.
Quick facts
- Punjab Kings are the first team in T20 history to chase 200-plus totals 10 times
- Result: Punjab Kings beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 6 wickets
- Target in the match: 220
- Shreyas Iyer finished unbeaten on 69
- Punjab’s chase featured a 99-run opening partnership
- Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 219/6
- Shashank Singh contributed 2/20 earlier in the innings
- Punjab improved to an unbeaten run in the tournament: third win in four matches
The chase in Chandigarh began at a sprint. Priyansh Arya struck 57 off only 20 balls, while Prabhsimran Singh made 51 as Punjab built momentum almost immediately. Together, the pair put on 99 runs for the first wicket, forcing Hyderabad to defend the chase from the very start.
Still, the momentum did not remain entirely Punjab’s. Left-arm wrist spinner Shivang Kumar produced a rapid burst of wickets, removing both openers and also sending Cooper Connolly back. In that moment, Punjab needed someone to stop the slide and reset the chase, and captain Iyer did exactly that.
Iyer steers the chase
Iyer first steadied the innings and then shifted gears with controlled aggression. He reached his half-century in just 24 deliveries, while the required run-rate began to look more manageable. Nehal Wadhera provided crucial support, and the two stitched together a 69-run stand that brought Punjab firmly back on track.
Even after Wadhera was dismissed, Punjab did not lose their grip. Shashank Singh then joined Iyer and guided the finish with measured composure, ultimately hitting the winning boundary to seal a memorable victory. Earlier in the day, Shashank had been just as influential with the ball, returning figures of 2/20.
Hyderabad’s innings had started with the kind of power that makes chases difficult from the first over. They posted 219/6, driven by Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, who combined for 120 runs for the opening wicket. Abhishek was at his destructive best, scoring 74 off 28 balls and striking eight sixes, while Head contributed 38 as Hyderabad dominated the early phase.
Punjab responded in the middle overs as Hyderabad’s progress began to wobble. Shashank Singh struck twice in quick succession to dismiss both openers, slowing the scoring and giving Punjab a clearer path to the finish. Heinrich Klaasen (39) and Ishan Kishan (27) tried to rebuild, but Hyderabad continued to lose wickets at important intervals and ended up just short of a bigger total.
With this result, Punjab Kings stretched their unbeaten run and collected their third win in four matches. The performance further underlines their growing reputation as one of the most dangerous chasing sides in T20 cricket.
