Who could have thought that T20 would evolve to such an extent that teams would be scoring nearly 300 runs in merely 120 balls?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 was undoubtedly the most firework-involved IPL edition ever, given teams crossed the 250-run barrier on over ten separate occasions. Not to forget, 260s by teams were also a regular thing, but it turned out to be a shocker when, on three occasions, two IPL teams even touched the 270 runs. Who could have thought that T20 would evolve to such an extent that teams would be scoring nearly 300 runs in merely 120 balls?
As we are one week away from bidding goodbye to 2024, let us recall those three 270+ targets set by two IPL sides.
It all started on March 15, 2024, when Sunrisers Hyderabad put on a score of 277 on the board against Mumbai, India. While Mayank Agarawal succumbed to 11 runs, the rest of Hyderabad’s top order did not falter. India’s nemesis, Travis Head, once again went all guns blazing against a blue side, hitting 62 runs in 24 balls, whereas Abhishek Sharma added 63 runs in 23 balls. Aiden Markram also joined the bandwagon, hitting 42 runs in 28 balls. However, the final nail in Mumbai’s coffin was struck by Heinrich Klassen, who hit 80 runs in 34 balls, which included seven sixes and four boundaries at a strike rate of 235.29, taking the total to 277. In response, Mumbai managed only 256 runs.
Heinrich Klassen is a modern day T20 legend,he's just too good!! 80*(34) made sure that SRH break that record! The deserving orange cap holder,much congratulations to him 👏🏻 [#MIvsSRH]#SRHvMI • #HeinrichKlaasen pic.twitter.com/9GTZEpymjg
— ishaan (@ixxcric) March 27, 2024
Despite Klassen’s 80, Sharma was awarded the Player of the Match award, given his strike rate was a shocking 273.91.
Sunil Narine, as an opener, has always been that one batter who produces quick runs. However, he has never been the one who bats for long. Against Delhi Capitals, though, Narine stayed on the crease, creating havoc. While Phil Salt went back into the dugout early, Narine scored 85 runs in merely 39 balls at a strike rate of nearly 218. Angkrish Raghuvanshi also added 54, whereas Andre Russell hit 41, and everybody’s beloved Rinku Singh scored 26 runs off eight balls, taking the total to 272 runs.
Today Clean Hits by Sunil Narine.🔥🔥🔥🔥
— imran ali (@imu07280300033) April 3, 2024
Well played SUNIL NARINE..!!!
85 RUNS FROM JUST 39 BALLS.
No KKR Fan will pass without liking this post.🙏#KKRvDC #SunilNarinepic.twitter.com/YioBTJzjNF
In the second innings, Delhi was bundled for 166 runs, and Kolkata Knight Riders registered a massive victory by 106 runs.
Even though Sunrisers Hyderabad lost the finale at the hands of the Riders, the team’s batting line-up really lit up the IPL. Hyderabad set the highest-ever target scored in an IPL game, i.e., 287 runs against Bengaluru. Not to forget, Hyderabad remains the only team to have crossed the 280-run mark in IPL’s history.
Travis Head was instrumental in helping Hyderabad to post the highest IPL total (287/3) with a quick century of 102(41) with 8 sixers and 9 fours.#RCBvsSRH #RCBvSRH #SRHvsRCB #SRHvRCB #IPL2024 #TravisHead #Klaasen #AbdulSamad #HenrichKlassenpic.twitter.com/YtcB56X5lZ
— क्रीडाप्रेमी (@Surendra21286) April 15, 2024
Batting first, Travis Head scored a whopping 102 runs in 41 balls at a strike rate of 248.78, whereas Heinrich Klassen joined the party with his 67 runs in 31 balls at a strike rate of 216.12. Aiden Markram and Abdul Samad added 32 and 37 runs, respectively, taking the score to a record 287. In response, Bengaluru scored a strong 262, but it wasn’t enough to win the game.
Given how the batting standards have increased in the IPL, we expect at least one 300-run score on the board in IPL 2025.
