The 30-year-old uncapped Indian cricketer Shashank Singh stunned everyone last Wednesday (27th April) night with his powerful batting performance, which was also his very first IPL innings. During that innings, he recorded the highest strike rate in an IPL innings by an Indian and the second-highest strike rate in an IPL innings overall.
It was the 40th match of IPL 2022, where SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) met Gujarat Titans (GT) for the second time this season. After Titans sent SRH to bat first, opener Abhishek Sharma (65) and middle-order batter Aiden Markram (56) guided SRH to the big first innings total. However, Shashank Singh finally grabbed the attention at the very end of that innings.
Shashank Singh finished with a strike rate of 416.66
Shashank came to bat for the first time in his IPL career during the 19th over of that innings. The right-handed batter hit a four on the very first ball of his IPL career. Then, in the final over of that innings, Shashank smashed three sixes in the last three successive balls.
So, Shashank ended that innings with 25 not out off six balls with the help of only four and three sixes. His powerful batting helped SRH to manage the first innings total of 195/6 in 20 overs.
While Shashank Singh ended that innings with a strike rate of 416.66, it was the second-highest strike rate in an IPL innings, where the batter scored at least 25 runs.
Chris Morris is still the record holder
South African cricketer Chris Morris is still holding the record of the highest strike rate in an IPL innings (scored at least 25 runs) as Delhi Daredevils cricketer finished with the strike rate of 422.22 (38 not out off 9 balls) against Rising Pune Supergiant at Pune on 11th April 2017.
Balachandra Akhil was holding the previous record as an Indian
Meanwhile, Balachandra Akhil was the previous record-holder among the Indians with the highest strike rate in an IPL innings (scored at least 25 runs). On 25th May 2008, the Royal Challengers Bangalore cricketer had a 385.71 strike rate (27 not out off 7 balls) against Deccan Chargers at Hyderabad (Deccan).
Top 10 highest strike rates in an IPL innings (scored at least 25 runs)
Player (Team) | Runs (Balls faced) | Strike rate | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Chris Morris (Delhi Daredevils) | 38* (9) | 422.22 | Rising Pune Supergiant | Pune | 11th April 2017 |
Shashank Singh (SunRisers Hyderabad) | 25* (6) | 416.66 | Gujarat Titans | Wankhede | 27th April 2022 |
Albie Morkel (Chennai Super Kings) | 28 (7) | 400.00 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Chennai | 12th April 2012 |
AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 31 (8) | 387.50 | Pune Warriors India | Bengaluru | 23rd April 2013 |
Balachandra Akhil (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 27* (7) | 385.71 | Deccan Chargers | Hyderabad (Deccan) | 25th May 2008 |
Pat Cummins (Kolkata Knight Riders) | 56* (15) | 373.33 | Mumbai Indians | Pune | 6th April 2022 |
AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 41 (11) | 372.72 | Mumbai Indians | Bengaluru | 19th April 2015 |
Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders) | 48* (13) | 369.23 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | Bengaluru | 5th April 2019 |
Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 25 (7) | 357.14 | Rajasthan Royals | Bengaluru | 30th April 2019 |
Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 35 (10) | 350.00 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad (Deccan) | 15th May 2015 |
Sarfaraz Khan (Royal Challengers Bangalore) | 35* (10) | 350.00 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 12th April 2016 |
SRH just failed to win the game
However, SRH ultimately suffered a defeat as Gujarat Titans chased the target on the final ball of the game, where Rashid Khan smashed three sixes in the last four balls. Titans won that match by five wickets.
