Knights torn apart by Heinrich Klaasen blitz, Hyderabad seal 110-run rout

Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a thumping 110-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2025 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Opting to bat first on a belter of a track, SRH unleashed an all-out assault on the KKR bowling attack to post a daunting total of 278 for 3 in their 20 overs, one of the highest team scores in the history of the tournament.

The star of the show was South African powerhouse Heinrich Klaasen, who delivered a breathtaking knock. The explosive right-hander reached his second IPL century in just 37 balls, eventually remaining unbeaten on 105 off 39 deliveries. His innings featured a destructive combination of 7 boundaries and 9 towering sixes, completely dismantling the KKR attack during the death overs.

Complementing Klaasen’s carnage at the other end was Australian opener Travis Head, who carried on his stellar season with yet another impactful innings. Head smashed 76 off 40 balls, laced with 6 fours and an equal number of sixes, setting the tone for the innings with aggressive stroke play in the powerplay. The duo laid a strong platform, propelling SRH past the 270-run mark. Contributions from Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan ensured the scoring momentum never dipped.

Among the KKR bowlers, veteran spinner Sunil Narine was the only one who managed to exert any control, returning with figures of two for 42 in his four-over spell. However, the rest of the bowling unit found no answers to the SRH onslaught.

Chasing an imposing 279 for victory, KKR never quite got going. Their top order was dismantled early, and pressure mounted with every passing over. Though there were flashes of resistance, they lacked any substantial partnerships to threaten SRH’s total.

The Hyderabad bowlers shared the spoils efficiently. Jaydev Unadkat spearheaded the attack with impressive accuracy, picking up 3 for 24. He was ably supported by young pacer Eshan Malinga, who also grabbed 3 wickets while conceding 31 runs. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey chipped in with 3 for 34, breaking the spine of KKR’s middle order. Together, the trio ensured there was no comeback for the Kolkata side.

KKR’s innings folded at 168, sealing a dominant win for SRH. The result not only reaffirmed SRH’s batting firepower but also highlighted their balanced bowling depth, sending a strong message to other playoff contenders.

This article first appeared on Mid Day