Travis Head makes history in IPL as cricket world erupts over record-breaking scenes

Travis Head has blasted the fastest century from a Sunrisers Hyderabad player in IPL history - and the fourth-fastest overall - as all manner of records were broken on Monday night. Head brought up his century off just 39 balls and made 102 off 41 as Sunrisers amassed 3-287 against Royal Challengers Bangalore - the highest total in IPL history.

RCB recovered from 6-181 in the 15th over to finish on 7-262 - a huge total in itself but 25 runs short of victory. The 549 runs scored between the two teams was comfortably the most in a single game in the competition's history.

Head's first century in the IPL included eight sixes and nine fours. The Australian star took a liking to RCB's fast bowlers, with Kiwi Lockie Ferguson (2-52) taking the most of the punishment.

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Head brought up his half-century off just 20 balls and completed his century off the next 19, before he was finally out off Ferguson's bowling - caught at mid-off. "The pitch played beautifully," Head said afterwards. "We thought we had to take the license to go." Of his own batting he said: "It's not the prettiest thing in the world but I'm pleased with how I struck the ball today."

Teammate Heinrich Klassen, who made 67 from 31 balls alongside Head, said: "It was unbelievable. Special knock."

On a horror day for bowlers, fellow Aussie star Pat Cummins was one of the shining lights. The Sunrisers captain went for more than 10 per over but picked up three key wickets (3-43) of Faf du Plessis (62), Suarav Chauhan (0) and Mahipal Lomror (19).

"I feel like I wish I was a batter," said Cummins. "If you bowl an over for seven or eight it feels great. I'm really happy with our cricket, the freedom with which the batters are going out to play is great and few wily bowlers doing the job as well."

Cricket world in disbelief as records tumble in IPL run-fest

Abdul Salam (37 not out off 10) and Aiden Markram (32 not out off 17) smashed 46 runs off the last two overs as Sunrisers broke their own record for biggest score in the IPL. Head was then subbed out of the game and didn't have to field, enabling him to have a "nice little bit of food, a shower and put my feet up."

Du Plessis and Virat Kohli (42) helped RCB get away to a blistering start in their run chase, taking 79 in the batting power play. But Cummins dismissed Du Plessis caught down the leg side, and helped slice through the middle order.

Dinesh Karthik plundered 83 off 35 balls to keep the game alive, and Anuj Rawat (25 not out) hit four boundaries in the last over. But the task was simply too great and RCB slumped to their fifth loss in a row to leave them bottom of the IPL table.

"One thing really important is to freshen your mind, it's such a mental game," Du Plessis said afterwards. "Sometimes it feels like your mind is going to explode. A little bit of (an) uphill task for us at the moment."

with agencies