SRH vs KKR IPL 2025 Match 68 Highlights: Klaasen’s ton seals the deal for the Orange Army

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2025 Match 68: Man of the Match

Heinrich Klaasen was named the player of the match for his record-equalling century in the first innings. The South African batter scored only his second ton in the competition and powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to the third-highest total in IPL’s history. Klaasen scored the joint-third-fastest century in the IPL and ended up unbeaten with a score of 105 runs off only 39 deliveries. In his knock, the wicketkeeper batter hit seven fours and nine sixes. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2025 Match 68: Top Performers

Heinrich Klaasen - 105* (39)

If Head’s knock was aggressive, then what Heinrich Klaasen could only be termed ultra-aggressive. The South African batter was at his best after being promoted in the batting order. To break the consistent left-handed batters coming in, Klaasen was sent in at number three to tackle the spin bowlers. He quickly hit his straps and smashed the living daylights out of the ball at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Klaasen reached his half-century in only 17 balls, the fastest of his career in T20s. While many batters would have been satisfied with a fast fifty like that, Klaasen’s hunger did not end as he went to double it up and scored his second century in the tournament. The right-handed batter reached the milestone in only 37 balls, which was the joint-third fastest in the history of the tournament. He remained unbeaten and scored 105 runs in 39 balls in a knock which consisted of seven fours and nine sixes.

Travis Head - 76 (40)

Travis Head, after a lean run of scores, finally returned to some form. Looking at his performance in tonight’s game, Pat Cummins, the Australian skipper, would be delighted, given the WTC Final is only a few days away. The left-handed batter took on the attacking role early in the innings. Head recorded his highest-ever score in the season and scored 76 runs, reaching his fifty in 26 balls. His 40-ball knock consisted of six fours and six sixes each. 

Jaydev Unadkat - 3/24

Jaydev Unadkat showcased all his experience and picked up a three-wicket haul. The left-arm pacer got the first wicket to break the opening stand and dismissed Sunil Narine. In the power play itself, Unadkat picked up Ajinkya Rahane’s wicket, who had been in sensational touch in the first six overs and against pacers this season. Coming on to bowl his final over, the 33-year-old struck again with Manish Pandey’s scalp.

Harsh Dubey - 3/34

Harsh Dubey was at his best with the ball in hand in the second innings. He came to this season of the IPL on the back of a record-breaking wicket tally in the IPL. The left-arm spinner picked up three wickets; however, it was the way he made a comeback which made him stand apart from the other bowlers. Two of his three wickets came after being hit for a six. His delivery to dismiss Andre Russell for a golden duck and Ramandeep Singh were two of the best deliveries in the game. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2025 Match 68: 1st Innings Summary

Sunrisers Hyderabad, courtesy of Travis Head, got off to a great start. The left-handed batter was at his best inside the power play as he smashed the KKR bowlers all around the park. Abhishek Sharma, before his dismissal, was proving to be unstoppable as he scored 32 runs in only 16 balls. However, it was his opening partner who lit the fireworks in the first six overs. He reached his fifty soon after the power play, even with the dismissal of Abhishek. Head registered his highest score of the season.

Heinrich Klaasen was promoted to number three in the batting order, and the move worked brilliantly for the Orange Army. Like his batting partner at the opposite end, the South African batter also scored a quick fifty. He bettered Head’s record and reached the milestone in only 17 balls. Even after the Aussie batter was dismissed, Klaasen kept on going and made the KKR bowlers pay for their wayward bowling. 

The bowlers from the Knight Riders seemed to have no answers against Klaasen’s hitting. Ishan Kishan, coming fresh off a great score of 94 runs, too, got going. The left-handed batter smashed a few boundaries as well. However, it was Klaasen who was at the centre of all the attention as he smashed his second century in the IPL.

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2025 Match 68: 2nd Innings Summary

Sunil Narine plated a few lusty blows to get KKR going in this mammoth chase. However, the need to attack almost every ball in the power play brought about the downfall of the left-handed batter. Narine was going at a fairly quick clip before he was dismissed by Jaydev Unadkat. The left-arm pacer picked up his second wicket in the final over of the power play, dismissing Ajinkya Rahane. 

Eshan Malinga, bowling right after the power play, took only four balls to pick up his first wicket, dismissing Quinton de Kock, who scored only nine runs in his 13-ball stay. Harsh Dubey, coming off as an impact sub, completely sealed the game for the Orange Army by picking up two wickets in his first over. He dismissed Rinku Singh after being hit for a six before picking up Andre Russell on the final ball of the eighth over. 

Malinga continued his good work as he came on to bowl his second over. He picked up another wicket and dismissed Angkrish Raghuvanshi with a slower ball. Dubey too returned to bowl his fourth over and picked up his third wicket. 

Manish Pandey and Harshit Rana struck a few lusty blows, and the two batters shared a 52-run stand for the eighth wicket. It was an unlikely duo of batters to end up as the highest scorers in the KKR innings.