What is the Highest Score at Arun Jaitley Stadium in IPL?

A New Benchmark: Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 266/7

On April 20, 2024, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) etched their name into the IPL record books by posting a colossal 266/7 against the Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium. This monumental total stands as the highest team score ever recorded at this venue in the IPL, eclipsing all previous benchmarks and reflecting the batting-friendly nature of the pitch in recent years.

The innings was a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting, led by SRH’s dynamic duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Head smashed a blistering 89 off just 32 balls, including 11 fours and 6 sixes, while Sharma complemented him with a rapid 46 off 12 balls, featuring 2 fours and 6 towering sixes. Their opening stand of 125 runs in just 6 overs set the tone for the carnage that followed. Contributions from Heinrich Klaasen (15 off 8) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (37 off 23) kept the momentum alive, while Shahbaz Ahmed’s unbeaten 59 off 29 balls provided the finishing flourish. For Delhi, the bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Mukesh Kumar’s 0/57 in 4 overs epitomizing their woes.

The Context: A Batting Paradise Emerges

Historically, Arun Jaitley Stadium was known for its balanced pitches, offering assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. However, since renovations ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, the surface has transformed into a batsman’s paradise. Short boundaries—55 meters square and 72 meters straight—combined with a flat, hard wicket have made it a nightmare for bowlers, especially in the IPL. The 2024 season exemplified this shift, with teams regularly posting 200-plus totals. SRH’s 266/7 was the pinnacle, but it wasn’t an anomaly; earlier in the same season, totals like 224 and 235 had hinted at the venue’s evolving character.

Before this record-breaking night, the highest IPL score at Arun Jaitley was 231/4, set by the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2011. That innings, powered by David Warner and Virender Sehwag, had stood as a testament to the ground’s potential for big scores. However, SRH’s 2024 performance raised the bar, reflecting the IPL’s growing emphasis on power-hitting and fearless intent.

How It Compares: A Record in Perspective

SRH’s 266/7 isn’t just the highest at Arun Jaitley—it’s one of the loftiest totals in IPL history. Only two scores surpass it: SRH’s own 287/3 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and 277/3 against Mumbai Indians, both from the same 2024 season. This places Arun Jaitley’s record as the fourth-highest team total in the IPL, underscoring how the stadium has joined the league’s elite batting venues like M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Wankhede.

Interestingly, Delhi Capitals fought back valiantly in that 2024 match, scoring 199 in response, but fell 67 runs short. The game’s combined tally of 465 runs highlighted the sheer entertainment value of modern IPL cricket at this venue, where bowlers often find themselves at the mercy of batsmen wielding innovative shots and unrelenting aggression.

Why Arun Jaitley Stands Out

What makes this record at Arun Jaitley Stadium unique isn’t just the numbers—it’s the narrative. Unlike some other high-scoring venues, Arun Jaitley has a storied past that once favored spinners and tactical bowling. Its transition into a run-fest hub mirrors the IPL’s broader evolution, where teams prioritize firepower over caution. The 266/7 by SRH wasn’t a fluke; it was a product of a pitch tailored for spectacle, a team built for dominance, and a format that rewards audacity.

For fans, this record is a reminder of the stadium’s ability to host unforgettable moments. From Chris Gayle and Rishabh Pant’s joint-highest individual IPL score of 128* at this ground to Lasith Malinga’s 5/13, Arun Jaitley has seen it all. Yet, SRH’s 266/7 stands as the crowning achievement in its IPL legacy, a testament to the limitless possibilities of T20 cricket.

Looking Ahead: Can It Be Broken?

As of March 24, 2025, the 266/7 remains the gold standard at Arun Jaitley Stadium. With IPL 2025 on the horizon, teams will return to this cauldron of runs, eyeing the chance to rewrite history. Given the venue’s track record—five out of five first-innings totals exceeding 200 in IPL 2024—the question isn’t if this record will fall, but when. Will it be SRH again, with their relentless batting arsenal, or perhaps a resurgent Delhi Capitals inspired by their home turf? Only time will tell.

For now, the highest score at Arun Jaitley Stadium in the IPL—266/7 by Sunrisers Hyderabad—stands as a towering monument to the thrill of cricket’s shortest format, a night when boundaries flowed like water and the scoreboard became a canvas for brilliance.