IPL 2025: What’s troubling SRH — Batting, Bowling, or Both? Is it time to rethink their strategy ahead of the second half?
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) entered IPL 2025 with a fearless batting strategy and bowling attack full of reputed names. However, as the tournament progresses, their overdependence on an ultra-aggressive approach at the top and a misfiring bowling unit has left them struggling for consistency. With just two wins in their first seven games, SRH are now at a crossroads, where rethinking their approach might be the only way to salvage the season.
Their two victories—against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS),have come on the back of standout individual performances. Ishan Kishan’s explosive knock set the tone against RR, while Abhishek Sharma’s century against PBKS was a one-man show of dominance. But the top order’s failure to fire has consistently hurt SRH outside of these two games. Their current approach banks heavily on taking down the bowling attack right from ball one, unlike the more measured starts employed by teams like Delhi Capitals (DC) or Gujarat Titans (GT), top order scoring the bulk of the runs. The absence of a Plan B has made them one-dimensional, with collapses becoming frequent when early wickets fall. A more balanced strategy, where they assess conditions and build their innings before going for the big shots, could provide the steadiness they lack.
Read More: IPL 2025, SRH vs PBKS, Highlights: Abhishek Sharma tsunami leaves Punjab clueless; Sunrisers win
SRH Bowling have been below par
What’s even more concerning is the underperformance of their bowling attack, which includes some big international names. Last year’s purple cap winner, Harshal Patel (9 wickets in 6 games), has had just one standout game, coming against the Punjab Kings (PBKS). Mohammed Shami (5 wickets in 7 games), known for his control with both the new and old ball, has looked far from threatening. Pat Cummins (7 scalps in as many games), the team’s skipper, hasn’t been able to lead from the front with the ball either. The only bright spot in this department has been young Zeeshan Ansari, who has impressed with his temperament and variety in crucial moments. However, one promising spinner can’t carry the load of an entire bowling attack.
Adding to their list of woes is SRH’s ineffective use of the Impact Player rule. While other franchises have leveraged the rule smartly to shift momentum or strengthen key areas, SRH have failed to do so. Their substitutions have barely made an impact, often reflecting the lack of quality depth on their bench. It seems the management hasn’t figured out how to optimise this tactical advantage, which has cost them in tight games.
Read More: IPL 2025: Travishek, Ishan Kishan losing their mojo?
Lack in consistency from Batter
Another major reason for SRH’s inconsistent performances this season is the dip in form of their explosive opening pair from last year—Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. The duo was one of the most feared combinations in IPL 2024, providing quick-fire starts and laying the platform for big totals. SRH has heavily depended on their opening pair, Travishek, who have batted together 21 times since the last IPL. In the 11 wins, they’ve contributed nearly one-third of the runs with an average of 80.1 and a run rate of 14.65. In contrast, during the 10 losses, those figures drop to an average of 14.5 and a run rate of 8.78.
But in IPL 2025, they haven’t found the same rhythm. This season, Travishek has scored over 40% of SRH’s runs in wins (at 13.93 rpo) and only 6.2% in defeats (at 9 rpo). Opposition teams have done their homework, often using sluggish pitches, where the ball stops a bit and offers turn to spinners. The lack of consistent opening stands has placed extra pressure on the middle order, which hasn’t fired regularly either. Nitish Kumar Reddy (131 in 6 innings), Kishan (138 runs in 7 innings), and Heinrich Klassen (210 runs in 7 innings) all have failed to live up to expectations.
Way forward for SRH
With the playoffs still within reach, SRH must make quick course corrections. A flexible batting approach, better bowling strategies, and smarter use of the Impact Player rule are the need of the hour. They have the talent, but it’s time they blend aggression with adaptability to turn their campaign around.
Read More: IPL 2025: CSK, MI & SRH’s Recent Wins Spice Up the Points Table – A Twist in the Tale?
