The Sunrisers and the Royal Challengers set new benchmarks for T20 batting on a record-breaking Monday in the Indian Premier League.
A total of 549 runs were scored between the two teams in Bengaluru, with Travis Head leading the way with a remarkable 102 off 41 balls.
Faf du Plessis’ off-form RCB won the toss and opted to chase. And once Head took to the crease, the hosts were chasing the game almost instantly.
Hyderabad broke RCB’s record team score of 264 earlier in the campaign, and that record was broken again at the Chinnaswamy as they reached 287/3 off their 20 overs.
It was the highest ever team total in franchise cricket, with South African Heinrich Klaasen joining Head at the top of the first innings scorecard with an impressive 67 off just 31 balls.
It was a horrendous evening for the bowlers on all fronts to say the least, with Du Plessis and Virat Kohli getting the hosts off to their biggest ever powerplay in pursuit of the seemingly unassailable target.
The Bengaluru skipper got to 62 off 28 while Dinesh Karthik took RCB close with a quick and classy 83 off 35.
In front of their fans, RCB’s 262/7 was the highest score while chasing and also fell into the top five highest IPL team scores.
Ultimately it would not be enough to get them the win they needed, leaving their playoffs changes slim albeit just halfway into the campaign.
They next face the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday after a six-day break in which du Plessis and company will look to quickly improve on their tactics.
Pictured above: Travis Head.
Image source: @IPL
