Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have decided to shake things up after a rough start to the IPL 2025 season. With two back-to-back losses—one against Lucknow Super Giants at home and another against Delhi Capitals in Vizag—SRH has opted for a few changes in their playing XI. The team has introduced Kamindu Mendis for his IPL debut and brought back Simarjeet Singh into the squad for their crucial match at Eden Gardens against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Exciting Debut & Strategic Moves
SRH has stuck to its aggressive approach, but their recent performances have put them in a tough spot. As a result, Abhinav Manohar has been dropped, while Travis Head finds himself on the impact subs bench. The inclusion of Mendis is particularly interesting as he was named ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year in 2024. The left-handed batter has showcased his potential on the international stage, scoring 381 runs in 23 T20Is. His ability to anchor innings and play attacking cricket makes him a valuable addition. Meanwhile, Simarjeet Singh's return is expected to add depth to SRH’s bowling attack.
SRH’s Big Call at the Toss
Winning the toss, SRH skipper Pat Cummins decided to field first in Kolkata on Thursday, April 3. Both teams are desperate for a win, making this clash even more intense. Eden Gardens has always been a venue where chasing teams tend to have an edge, and SRH hopes to capitalize on that trend.
What Cummins Had to Say
Despite losing 19 wickets in the last two games, Cummins remains firm on his team’s aggressive gameplay. “We have spoken about it. I think we are at our best when we are aggressive. Most of those wickets have come with some reckless batting. Not think too much about it. Keep moving forward,” said Cummins.
He also took a moment to appreciate Aniket Verma, who had an impressive outing against Delhi Capitals. “He’s been amazing. That youthfulness. Who’s bowling doesn’t faze him. He’s taking on the bowlers nicely.” Cummins also emphasized that SRH has a clear strategy for their impact substitutes, saying, “You get a feel of how the game is going, and we are clear of who we want to be our impact subs.”
Battle-Ready Squads
Here’s how both teams line up for this high-stakes encounter:
Sunrisers Hyderabad Playing XI:
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Abhishek Sharma
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Ishan Kishan
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
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Aniket Verma
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Kamindu Mendis
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Pat Cummins (c)
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Simarjeet Singh
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Harshal Patel
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Mohammed Shami
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Zeeshan Ansari
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI:
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Quinton de Kock (wk)
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Sunil Narine
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Angkrish Raghuvanshi
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Venkatesh Iyer
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Ajinkya Rahane (c)
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Moeen Ali
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Rinku Singh
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Andre Russell
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Ramandeep Singh
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Harshit Rana
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Varun Chakaravarthy
A Must-Win Encounter for SRH?
With two losses already, SRH cannot afford another setback. Their aggressive batting approach has worked in patches but also led to unnecessary wickets. This game against KKR is a test of their ability to balance aggression with calculated cricket.
On the other hand, KKR will be looking to continue their strong form. With power-hitters like Andre Russell and Rinku Singh in their ranks, they are more than capable of putting up a massive total or chasing down any target.
Final Thoughts
The changes in SRH’s playing XI suggest that the team management is keen on finding the right balance. The inclusion of Kamindu Mendis adds an extra layer of excitement, while Simarjeet Singh’s return boosts their bowling options. But will these tweaks be enough to turn things around for SRH? Only time will tell as the action unfolds at Eden Gardens.
Cricket fans, buckle up—this promises to be a thrilling contest!
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