The excitement surrounding IPL 2025 was palpable, especially after the incredible performance from last season’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who almost breached the 300-run mark during IPL 2024. After posting an eye-popping 287 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the previous season, SRH had set a high benchmark for themselves. The aggressive approach that had worked so well for them was the talk of the town. Travis Head, the in-form batter, along with other key players including captain Pat Cummins, made it clear that they were targeting the 300-run mark this year too.
The season kicked off with a bang as SRH took on Rajasthan Royals (RR). The team posted a mammoth total of 286 runs, with new signing Ishan Kishan making an immediate impact, scoring a stunning century. This performance made fans hopeful and optimistic that SRH would live up to their promises and set new records.
However, the euphoria was short-lived. After that impressive opening match, the team’s performance nosedived, and the Hyderabad-based franchise began to struggle across all departments. With just three wins from 10 matches, SRH now find themselves almost out of the playoff race. The dramatic fall from grace raises a lot of questions. Let’s dive into the reasons behind SRH’s dismal performance this season.
1) ‘Travishek’ Struggles to Deliver
One of the most lethal opening pairs last season, the duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, had taken the IPL by storm. Together, they amassed a total of 1,051 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 197.2, smashing a remarkable 74 sixes between them. Their partnership was pivotal in SRH’s success in 2024, and fans were eagerly looking forward to their fireworks this season.
But things have drastically changed in IPL 2025. The pair has managed only 595 runs in 10 innings at a relatively subdued strike rate of 168.1. To add to the disappointment, the number of sixes they have hit this season has dropped to just 26, a clear sign of their declining form. What was once a key weapon for SRH now seems like a shadow of its former self, and their inability to provide a strong start has hurt the team’s chances throughout the season.
2) Middle-Order Woes: Missing the Backbone
SRH’s middle-order batting was a major strength last season, with players like Nitish Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen providing much-needed support to the openers. Nitish had an excellent season in 2024, scoring 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92, while Klaasen was in red-hot form, amassing 479 runs at a strike rate of 171.07. Together, they formed the backbone of SRH’s batting line-up.
Unfortunately, the middle-order has failed to live up to expectations this season. Nitish’s form has significantly dipped, with only 173 runs to his name and a below-par strike rate of 120.14. He is yet to hit a half-century and has a modest average of 24.71, signaling his struggles this season. Klaasen, too, has been far from his best, having scored 311 runs at a strike rate of 153.96.
Ishan Kishan, who had a blistering start with a century in the first match, has also failed to maintain his momentum. After that explosive knock, he has managed only 196 runs, with a poor batting average of 24.50. The lack of consistency from these key players has left SRH’s middle-order vulnerable, and the team has been unable to capitalize on the strong starts provided by their openers.
3) Pat Cummins: The Captain Who Couldn’t Step Up
Pat Cummins, who was one of SRH’s standout performers last season with 18 wickets, has not been able to live up to his role as a leader and bowler in IPL 2025. Cummins has been struggling to make an impact, picking up only 10 wickets in as many matches. His inability to fill the shoes of fellow bowler T Natarajan, who was a star for SRH in 2024, has been a major setback for the team.
Mohammed Shami, another senior bowler, has also failed to impress with the ball, managing just six wickets in nine matches. In contrast, Harshal Patel has emerged as the team’s top wicket-taker with 13 wickets, which tells you everything you need to know about SRH’s bowling department. The lack of wicket-taking options and consistency has meant that SRH has failed to build pressure and control matches when needed.
4) Lack of a Quality Spinner
In the world of T20 cricket, the spin department can make or break a team’s chances, and unfortunately for SRH, they’ve been lacking in this area. Six spinners in the competition have taken 12 or more wickets, which speaks to the impact they’ve had this season. SRH, on the other hand, has struggled ever since Adam Zampa, their key spinner, was sidelined due to an injury. They have placed limited trust in Rahul Chahar, and the results have been underwhelming.
Zeeshan Ansari, the other spin option, has picked up only six wickets in eight matches, failing to make a significant impact. With their spin department in shambles, SRH has struggled to control the middle overs, often conceding easy runs. The lack of a genuine match-winning spinner has exposed their weaknesses, and the bowling attack has failed to support the batters in defending targets.
5) The Aggressive Approach: A Double-Edged Sword
SRH’s aggressive strategy, championed by players like Travis Head and Pat Cummins, has been a key factor in their rise to prominence. However, this all-out aggressive approach has its drawbacks. While it has helped the team post big totals, it has also left them vulnerable when wickets fall early or when the opposition adapts to their tactics.
Former Team India fielding coach R. Sridhar weighed in on SRH’s situation, noting that the team needed a quality spinner to deliver in the middle overs. He also pointed out the team’s inability to click collectively, with batters not firing in unison. Despite these challenges, Sridhar respected SRH’s decision to continue with an aggressive approach and remained hopeful that the franchise could make a comeback. The key, according to him, is finding the right balance between aggression and caution—a line that SRH has struggled to walk this season.
Looking Ahead: Can SRH Make a Comeback?
With SRH’s playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the team has some serious soul-searching to do. The combination of underperforming key players, a struggling middle-order, and a lack of effective bowlers has put them on the back foot. But all is not lost. If SRH can find the right blend of aggression and consistency, there’s still a glimmer of hope for them to turn their season around. With the right strategies and player performances, a late surge into the playoffs is still possible.
In conclusion, IPL 2025 has been a tough ride for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The high expectations set by their explosive start to the season have quickly turned into a frustrating campaign as they find themselves struggling to match last year’s success. Whether they can bounce back and make a push for the playoffs remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—this season will be a big test for SRH, their leadership, and their ability to adapt to the challenges that have come their way.
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