Overview of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Current Challenges
Ambati Rayudu, a former Indian cricketer, has identified the key issues plaguing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite their impressive performance reaching last season’s final, Hyderabad has encountered significant setbacks in the 18th edition of the IPL, losing four consecutive games, including a notable defeat against Gujarat Titans at their home ground.
Pinpointing the Core Issue: Bowling Inefficiencies
Unlike the common perception of batting failures, Rayudu attributes the team’s poor performances to their ineffective bowling, particularly during the middle overs of a match. Statistics reveal that SRH’s bowling efficiency drops significantly from overs 7 to 16, with an average of 41.33 and an economy rate of 9.92, ranking them third-worst among the ten teams.
Comparative Analysis with Competing Teams
Highlighting the stark contrast, teams like Gujarat Titans have managed to maintain pressure throughout the innings with strategic wicket-taking by players such as Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, and Prasidh Krishna. In contrast, SRH appears defensive, rarely seizing opportunities to take crucial wickets during critical phases of the game.
Rayudu’s Blunt Assessment and Recommendations
“In the middle overs, SRH lacks impactful bowlers who can apply pressure and disrupt the batting side’s momentum,” Rayudu remarked during his discussion on ESPNCricinfo’s TimeOut show. He critically noted, “You don’t win the IPL with mediocre middle-overs bowling”, emphasizing the necessity for strong, incisive bowling talents capable of securing key wickets.
SRH’s Batting: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Struggles
Despite the bowling concerns, there were high expectations for SRH’s batting lineup, especially after their explosive performance in the previous season. Key players like Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, however, have not lived up to expectations this season. Rayudu suggests a shift in strategy and mindset, particularly recommending that the batsmen focus on playing strong foundational shots and exploiting scoring opportunities with smart cricket rather than relying solely on power-hitting.
Strategic Adjustments Moving Forward
To counteract the tactics employed by other teams, Rayudu advises SRH’s top order to adapt their approach at the crease: “They should focus more on timing and finding gaps rather than attempting ambitious aerial shots off fuller pitches,” he explained. This adjustment could potentially help them build more significant innings and support their bowlers by setting challenging targets.
With strategic changes and a renewed focus on effective middle-over bowling, Sunrisers Hyderabad can aim to reverse their fortunes and contend more robustly in IPL 2025.
Related: 5 Key Battles to Watch as MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings Face Punjab Kings in IPL
Last Updated: April 7, 2025
