SRH will bank on its in-your-face approach

Skipper Pat Cummins will hope to lead from the front for SRH in IPL 2025.
| Photo Credit: File photo: EMMANUAL YOGINI

Sunrisers Hyderabad surprised everyone last season by notching up gargantuan totals with ease.

It registered the highest score in IPL history (287 for three vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru) and crossed the 250-run mark two more times (277 for three vs Mumbai Indians and 266 for seven vs Delhi Capitals). SRH
 stormed into its first final in six years but fell to Kolkata Knight Riders.

At the auction, two things were accomplished: strengthening an already impressive batting line-up and drafting in experienced bowling options following key departures.

With Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Kumar Reddy being joined by wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan (₹11.25 crore), the team’s ultra-aggressive style is unlikely to change.

Rejigged

SRH will sport a rejigged bowling unit this year. After the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T. Natarajan and Washington Sundar were let go, it secured the services of Mohammed Shami (₹10 crore), who picked up 28 wickets in the PowerPlay in the last two seasons, averaging 21.25 with an economy of 7.08.

Having been sidelined for more than a year with an ankle injury, the 34-year-old picked up 14 wickets across 11 T20 matches for Bengal and India on his comeback. Most recently, Shami took nine wickets in 41 overs in India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign in the UAE.

^{Bowling duties}

Versatile all-rounder Harshal Patel (₹8 crore), along with Shami, will share bowling duties with the likes of skipper Pat Cummins, Jaydev Unadkat, Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar, and Kamindu Mendis.

That said, Bhuvneshwar and Natarajan were standout death bowlers, and, in their absence, the senior bowlers must step up when the going gets tough.

How the relatively untested Eshan Malinga fares in Indian conditions will also be something to keep an eye on.

Given the bulk of quality pacers, SRH’s spin arsenal looks weak in comparison. Zampa’s gametime and Chahar’s consistency will be key areas the team will keep an eye on.

Injury trouble

SRH’s injury troubles began early with the withdrawal of Brydon Carse. The England pacer has since been replaced by South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.

With vital personnel like Shami and Cummins recently dealing with various issues, the Hyderabad franchise, with a relatively thin squad, will ensure workload management remains top priority.