IPL 2025 started with a lot of excitement over whether last season’s runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) would be able to breach the 300-run mark. SRH had posted a total of 287 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024, earning a lot of plaudits for their aggressive gameplay. Batter Travis Head and other members of the team, including captain Pat Cummins, raised the expectations of the fans by openly admitting that they would target the 300-run mark.
The first match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) started off on a bright note, with SRH posting a mammoth total of 286 runs. New signing Ishan Kishan also made his presence felt with a splendid performance, smashing a century.
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However, SRH underwent a massive decline after that match, failing to make their presence felt across departments. The Hyderabad-based franchise is nearly out of contention for a spot in the playoffs following three wins in 10 matches.
Without much ado, here’s a look at a few reasons behind SRH’s dismal performance this season:
1) ‘Travishek’ fail to impress
The opening partnership of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma played a key role in SRH’s success during IPL 2024, hitting the ball to all corners of the ground. The duo smashed 1,051 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 197.2, smashing 74 sixes.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma (PTI Photo)
However, their combined impact as openers has certainly declined in IPL 2025. Head and Abhishek have scored 595 runs in 10 innings so far this season, registering a strike rate of 168.1. Their tally of sixes has dropped down to just 26, which is an indication of their deterioration.
2) Lack of quality support in middle-order
SRH were a well-rounded unit in IPL 2024, especially in case of batting, with the likes of Nitish Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen providing quality support to the openers. Nitish scored 303 runs in IPL 2024 at a strike rate of 142.92, while Klaasen smashed 479 runs at a strike rate of 171.07.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Heinrich Klaasen plays a shot
Their tally of runs has dropped down to 173 and 311 runs respectively in IPL 2025 so far, while the strike rate has also reduced to 120.14 and 153.96 respectively. Nitish is yet to hit a half-century in IPL 2025 and has a batting average of 24.71, which is an indication of his season so far.
Even Ishan Kishan has been quite poor with his performances following the ton in the first match, accumulating 196 runs with a paltry batting average of 24.50.
3) Pat Cummins’s inability to deliver
T Natarajan and Pat Cummins were the top two wicket-takers for SRH in IPL 2024, accounting for 19 and 18 wickets, respectively. However, Cummins has failed to step up following Natarajan’s departure, picking just 10 wickets in as many matches.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins with coach Daniel Vettori
Even Mohammed Shami has struggled to deliver as per expectations, accounting for just six dismissals in nine matches. Harshal Patel is SRH’s top wicket-taker with 13 wickets, which is a clear indication of where they lie as a unit.
4) Absence of a quality spinner
Six spinners have picked 12 or more wickets this season, indicating the impact which they have left with their performances. SRH have struggled in the spin department after Adam Zampa got sidelined due to an injury, showcasing limited faith in Rahul Chahar.
Zeeshan Ansari, the other spinner in the setup, has accounted for six dismissals in eight matches. The bowling department overall has left much to be desired, failing to back the batters by defending totals.
Former Team India fielding coach R Sridhar backed the franchise to make a comeback during an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia.com.
“SRH need a quality spinner who can get the job done in the middle-overs. The form of the batters is a concern. Players are simply not clicking this season. At the same time, I respect their decision to back an all-out aggressive approach rather than being cautious in nature. I am confident that SRH will make a comeback,” he stated.
