Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) concluded their IPL 2025 campaign on a high with a resounding 110-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), driven by Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive unbeaten century. With this win, SRH not only ended a five-match losing streak to KKR but also posted the third-highest team total in IPL history—an imposing 278 for 3.
Klaasen’s 105 Lights Up the Capital*
Heinrich Klaasen stole the show with a breathtaking 105* off just 39 balls, showcasing clean, fearless hitting throughout his innings. His century, which came in just 37 balls, equaled the third-fastest ton in IPL history. Klaasen hammered nine sixes and seven boundaries, punishing both pace and spin alike with remarkable precision and power.
He reached his fifty in just 17 deliveries, maintaining a phenomenal strike rate of 300. His powerful shot selection, including straight drives and ruthless pulls, kept SRH’s scoring rate soaring. Supported well by Ishan Kishan, who scored a handy 40 off 29 balls, the pair added 50 runs in just 20 balls to maintain relentless pressure on the KKR bowlers.
SRH’s innings culminated with Aniket Verma’s quickfire 12 off 6 deliveries, helping the team to a massive total of 278/3—an IPL record contender.
Travis Head Lays the Foundation
Before Klaasen’s fireworks, Travis Head had already inflicted early damage with a commanding 76 from 40 deliveries. Head, known for his aggressive batting at the top, got off to a flying start against Vaibhav Arora, whom he had struggled against previously. He reached his half-century in 26 balls, ensuring SRH dominated the powerplay with a score of 79 without loss.
Abhishek Sharma contributed with a vital 32 off just 16 balls, keeping up the momentum as SRH reached 109 for 1 by the eighth over. Head’s aggressive intent combined with Sharma’s fluency gave SRH the platform they needed for a record total.
KKR Bowlers Crumble Under Pressure
KKR’s bowling unit struggled from start to finish. Anrich Nortje and Vaibhav Arora failed to contain the openers, leaking boundaries in the powerplay. Even seasoned campaigners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy failed to apply any pressure in the middle overs.
Narine offered a brief respite in the 13th over by dismissing Head and conceding just one run—the only over without a boundary since the opening one. However, Klaasen immediately retaliated with two colossal sixes off Narine in his final over, pushing SRH past 200 in the 15th.
Nortje ended his spell with 0 for 60, while Chakravarthy went for 54 in just three overs, highlighting the ineffectiveness of KKR’s bowling attack on the night.
KKR’s Top Order Falters in the Run Chase
Chasing 279 for victory, KKR started with a spark, thanks to Sunil Narine’s aggressive intent. He smashed three sixes and a four in Pat Cummins’ first two overs. However, Jaydev Unadkat changed the momentum by bowling Narine with a deceptive slower ball, triggering a collapse.
Ajinkya Rahane’s quick 15 off 8 offered a brief glimmer, but he too perished to Unadkat. Quinton de Kock continued his lean patch, managing just 9 from 13 balls before falling to a full toss from Eshan Malinga.
Middle Order Collapse Dooms KKR
Harsh Dubey’s double strike in the eighth over further deepened KKR’s woes. He dismissed Rinku Singh and Andre Russell on consecutive deliveries. Russell, trapped LBW on the first ball, didn’t even wait for the umpire’s decision, walking off immediately—a moment that summed up KKR’s frustrating night.
With half the team back in the pavilion at 70 for 5, the match was effectively sealed in SRH’s favor. Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ramandeep Singh attempted to rebuild but struggled for fluency and eventually succumbed in the middle overs.
Rana and Pandey’s Resistance Delays the Inevitable
Despite the carnage, Harshit Rana and Manish Pandey tried to inject some respectability into KKR’s innings. Rana’s explosive 34 off 21 balls included three sixes, while Pandey chipped in with 37 off 28, including some elegant strokes through cover.
The duo smashed 21 runs off the 16th over, momentarily lifting KKR’s spirits. But Unadkat and Malinga returned to clean up the tail. Unadkat dismissed Pandey with a cunning slower delivery and then ran out Arora with a sharp piece of fielding. Malinga sealed the deal with a caught-and-bowled effort to dismiss Rana, wrapping up the innings at 168.
SRH Finish Strong, KKR Left Searching for Answers
With this emphatic win, SRH climbed to sixth place in the points table, pending the result of Lucknow Super Giants’ final game. KKR, meanwhile, ended their IPL 2025 campaign in eighth place—a season marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities.
For SRH, Klaasen’s masterclass and the overall team performance will be a memory to cherish. Their blend of power-hitting and clever bowling came together perfectly in their season finale, while KKR will need to go back to the drawing board ahead of next season.
