Records and stats of Head, Abhishek in IPL 2024
Sunrisers Hyderabad fell short of the title in the recently concluded 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). The Orange Army lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in a one-sided final clash on Sunday in Chennai. Nevertheless, the season will be remembered for SRH's dominating show with the bat. Openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma were instrumental to SRH's fine run. Let's decode their campaigns.
Stunning show from openers
Head and Abhishek often tormented the opposition batters with their aggressive batting. While the former made 567 runs at 40.50, the latter scored 484 runs at 32.27. Abhishek (204.22) and Head (191.55) had the top-two strike rates among batters with 350-plus runs this year. They added the second-most runs in partnership this year (691 at a stunning run rate of 13.46).
Three century stands in IPL 2024
While Head and Abhishek were involved in three century stands, no other pair managed multiple 100-plus partnerships in IPL 2024. The tally includes the second-highest partnership in the season, 167* versus LSG. Meanwhile, SRH duo's tally of five 50-plus scores was also the most for a pair in IPL 2024. Head scored four fifties and a ton this year. Abhishek recorded three fifties.
SRH recorded the top-two highest powerplay totals
Notably, the league stage of IPL 2024 saw the SRH openers compile the top-two highest powerplay scores in the history of the cash-rich league. While they recorded 125/0 in the game against Delhi Capitals, the 2016 champions were 107/0 at the six-over mark against Lucknow Super Giants. KKR previously held the highest powerplay total in IPL, 105/0 versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2017.
Highest run rate in powerplay
As per ESPNcricinfo, SRH had the best run rate in powerplay this year (11.17). They breached the 80-run mark in powerplay on four occasions this season. The Sunrisers were also the only team to hammer 50-plus powerplay sixes in the league stage (59). Meanwhile, Head's tally of 402 powerplay runs in IPL 2024 is the second-most for a batter in a season.
Most sixes by an Indian in a season
Abhishek smashed the most sixes this season (42). No other Indian has tallied even 40 maximums in an IPL edition. He compiled 36 fours as well. Meanwhile, the SRH southpaw overall recorded the sixth-most sixes by a batter in a year in IPL. Meanwhile, Head hit the most fours in IPL 2024 (64). The tally includes 32 maximums as well.
An uncanny run-chase for SRH
In Match 57 against Lucknow Super Giants, Abhishek and Head helped SRH chase down 166 in 9.4 overs. SRH broke their own record to register the highest total after the first 10 overs (IPL). Before this, SRH posted 158/4 against DC and 148/2 against MI after 10 overs in the same season. SRH beat LSG with 62 balls to spare, the most in IPL.
Fastest fifties for SRH
Head recorded two 16-ball fifties in the season, the joint-fastest for SRH in IPL history. Abhishek also scored a 16-ball half-century. One of Head's half-centuries came off 18 balls. His compatriot Jake Fraser-McGurk is the only other batter with three IPL fifties in 18 balls or under. Meanwhile, Abhishek scored a 19-ball fifty as well this year.
Fastest century for SRH
Head recorded the fastest hundred by a SRH batter as he reached the milestone off just 39 balls in the league game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He ended up scoring a 41-ball 102. The Australian overall slammed the fourth-quickest IPL ton. He is only behind Chris Gayle (30 balls), Yusuf Pathan (37 balls), and David Miller (38 balls).
