‘Self-goal’ – Aakash Chopra baffled by Hyderabad pitch used for GT clash after SRH chase 246 vs PBKS

Aakash Chopra, a former cricket player for India, has accused the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium’s pitch curator for creating uneven grounds for the 2025 Indian Premier League. This season, SRH has mostly struggled with their batting, as their top order has not been able to score runs on the powerplay as they did in the previous league season.

The opening match in Hyderabad was a batting paradise as SRH defeated the Rajasthan Royals by amassing 286/6, the second-highest IPL total ever, before holding them to 44 runs. The surface was skewed in favour of the bowlers in their subsequent home match, though, as the Gujarat Titans’ potent bowling lineup overpowered them on a slow track, allowing SRH to muster just 152/8. The hosts lost by seven wickets.

On the other hand, a record 492 runs were scored in their most recent home match versus Punjab Kings on April 12. Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking 141 off just 55 helped SRH not only chase down the goal after Punjab Kings hammered 246 but also do so with nine balls remaining.

Aakash Chopra expressed his displeasure with the erratic pitch conditions on his X account.

“After seeing what we saw on Day-2 of the IPL (SRHvRR game) and then again today….you wonder how on earth the curator decided to dish out a sluggish pitch for their home-game vs GT. Self Goal.”

After seeing what we saw on Day-2 of the IPL (SRHvRR game) and then again today….you wonder how on earth the curator decided to dish out a sluggish pitch for their home-game vs GT.
Self Goal.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 12, 2025

Speaking of the match against the Punjab Kings, Abhishek had a fortunate day as he received two lifelines and beat the bowlers all over the park. He became the highest-scoring Indian in the history of the competition after reaching his century in just 40 balls and a half-century off just 19 balls. ‘This is for Orange Army’ was written on a letter he took out of his pocket as part of a single celebration.

After suffering with scores of 18, 2, 1, and 6 in the previous games, Abhishek made a strong recovery. As SRH recorded the second-highest chase in IPL history, Travis Head, who also struck 66 off 37 balls, provided him with much-needed support.