Sunrisers Hyderabad may have missed out on the Indian Premier League 2024 season title, losing in the final. However, this time around, the Pat Cummins-led side would like to push for the coveted IPL trophy after bolstering their squad with some massive names on the roster during the IPL auction 2025 in Jeddah. SRH are one of the best balanced sides and have plenty of firepower.
One can expect free-flowing run-making from a side that toyed with opposition bowlers last season. SRH are lethal and look certain to make the playoffs.
Before the auction, SRH made a smart move by retaining 5 key players in Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen. So you already have 5 quality names in the starting XI. At the auction, they did well to get Ishan Kishan. In bowling, it’s a new look unit with some star names from last season not gone after. The arrivals of Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel make SRH powerful.
SRH won their only IPL title in 2016 and are awaiting to add to the tally. Last season, they were second best against a well drilled KKR side both in Qualifier 1 and then in the final. Many will feel that SRH could take a step further this time given the balance. Also, they have a skipper in Cummins who is one of the best in business.
Here we analyse 5 reasons why SRH can win the IPL 2025 title in addition to naming their strengths and weaknesses.
Head-Abhishek duo can rip teams apart
Across 13 innings last season, the duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma scored 599 runs as a pair from 13 innings, averaging 49.91. They scored 13.21 runs per over in that partnership. Abhishek ended up with 475 runs last season at 36.54 and his strike rate being 204.74. Head amassed 536 runs at 48.73. His strike rate was 194.91. Abhishek has also taken his form to the international level, scoring runs for India. Head was one of the top players for Australia in 2024. With SRH needing fast starts, the duo is ideal to hurt teams and tear them apart.
A powerful hitting line-up with the bat
With Head and Abhishek sorted upfront, SRH will look to build on that given they are a powerful house in batting. It’s a hitting line-up and this will augur well. Ishan Kishan, who was picked up at the auction, will be given a free hand at number three. Kishan impressed earlier for Mumbai Indians. Kishan has a point to prove for his India spot and he needs to have a big season. Nitish Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen were retained by the franchise and both are powerful customers. Abhinav Manohar had a sound SMAT and VHT campaign, striking well above 145. These three will be SRH’s options after Kishan.
A top quality three-man pace force
SRH already boast of Pat Cummins their skipper leading the way. He had a superb IPL 2024, taking 18 scalps. SRH further bolstered their roster by getting in Indian experienced names such as Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel. The latter won his second Purple Cap last season and brings in variety to aid Cummins. Shami, who missed IPL 2024, has made a sound return for India and was solid in the Champions Trophy. Shami picked 28 scalps for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023. The trio is a no nonsense pace-bowling pack.
Utility man Reddy can be a match-winner
Reddy gives this SRH side a fine look with his stupendous all-round skills. With his pace, he can hand his side 2-3 overs on a good day. He is excellent on the field and is a superb fielder. And his multi-dimensional batting is something that will suit SRH’s style. Reddy impressed one and all in his debut season with the bat last year, scoring 300-plus runs. He also picked three wickets last season. Reddy, who has secured his place in India’s Test side, has also done a reasonable job in the 4 T20Is for Team India.
Adam Zampa can finally have a full season and deliver
Unlike the last couple of seasons where SRH lacked bite in spin, they have addressed it this year. You have Adam Zampa, a quality Aussie international who can finally have a full season. With 117 scalps in T20Is and 361 overall in T20s, Zampa’s leg-spin will have a lot of impact. He will be aiming to be a match-winner. Rahul Chahar will support Zampa. The Indian spinner has a good track record in the IPL. He did well for Mumbai Indians in his three seasons there. He also shone for PBKS in IPL 2022, picking 14 wickets. Abhishek can also be used sometimes as the 3rd spin option.
Strengths of SRH:
A settled line-up in the mix will do wonders. SRH do not need to tinker their starting XI and this is a plus. Someone like an Atharva Taide can be used as the Impact Player. His batting will lend a bit more cushion especially if SRH want a number three as a right-handed batter.
Weaknesses of SRH:
SRH would have liked someone to share the new ball with Shami in the PP overs. Harshal will be used in the back end. Therefore SRH need to extract a few overs from Cummins, Reddy or someone like Abhishek depending on the proceedings. There aren’t many weaknesses in this side as they have things covered.
Verdict of SRH
SRH will work with a settled XI to help them deliver. Getting the Impact player right will be key. SRH’s bench strength is decent in bowling with Unadkat, Brydon Carse and Eshan Malinga can contribute when called upon. And then with Chahar and Zampa, you can get quality overs of spin. The batting is SRH’s major strength. You have 5 powerful performers on the side. Utility names in Baby and Taide could play supporting roles. SRH have what it takes to make it to the top 4 and make a jump.