Sunrisers Hyderabad's Struggles Continue Amid Challenging Conditions

Hyderabad's Tough Season

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 6: After a disappointing match against Delhi Capitals (DC), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori expressed that the playing conditions were not as anticipated, describing the surfaces as challenging.

SRH, who initially showcased an aggressive batting style in the IPL 2024 season led by Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, ended their 2025 campaign with only three victories out of 11 matches, following a washout against DC at home.

In the post-match press conference, Vettori remarked, “I didn’t claim after every match that I supported an aggressive strategy. I emphasized the importance of evaluating conditions, which this year did not align with our expectations. Last season, we witnessed numerous high-scoring matches here.”

He continued, “The surfaces this time have been quite different. They have posed challenges for batters. Our focus has been on assessing conditions, reading the game, and adapting to various situations. While our players are naturally aggressive, this season has been about determining what is needed on any given day.”

Bowling-Friendly Conditions

So far, Hyderabad has hosted six matches, with teams surpassing the 200-run mark in only four of the 11 innings, a stark contrast to last year’s seven out of 12. This season has favored bowlers more.

Vettori noted that out of the six pitches, only two were conducive to scoring over 250 runs, while the remaining four favored fast bowlers, particularly during the new ball phase, making it tough for batters to score.

“Two surfaces have allowed for scores above 250, while four have been more favorable for fast bowlers. The new ball has been challenging to hit, not coming onto the bat easily. The IPL features some of the world’s best new-ball bowlers, who have capitalized on these conditions,” he explained.

Missed Opportunities

With only three wins in ten matches, SRH needed to secure a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. They had managed to restrict DC to a modest total of 133/7, but rain thwarted their chances of claiming what could have been an easy two points.

Vettori expressed his disappointment regarding the team's inconsistency, stating, “It’s certainly disappointing. We entered the season with high expectations, but our performances have lacked consistency. I’ve mentioned before how we’ve struggled to deliver complete performances. Today was a step towards that, so it’s frustrating that we couldn’t finish it, but that’s cricket.”

Pat Cummins' Performance

Captain Pat Cummins’ impressive bowling performance set the stage for what could have been a complete match for SRH, as he recorded figures of 3/19. With Mohammed Shami absent, Cummins took on the responsibility of the opening over and struck immediately by dismissing Karun Nair.

Shami has had a challenging season, managing only six wickets in nine matches with an average of 56.16 and an economy rate of 11.23. Vettori mentioned that Shami was dropped based on the conditions and praised Cummins for his versatility in different roles.

“It’s been a tough season for Shami, but he’s been working hard behind the scenes. On this Hyderabad pitch, we felt this was the best team composition for us,” he said.

“Overall, he’s been a wicket-taker. Cummins has adapted to various roles depending on the team’s selection. Today was the first time he bowled the opening over, showcasing why he’s such a dominant Test bowler. It was great to see him perform well and lead the team effectively. We hope this momentum carries into the last three matches of the season,” he concluded.

Match Summary

In the match, after being reduced to 29/5, contributions from Tristan Stubbs (41* off 36 balls, including four boundaries) and Ashutosh Sharma (41 off 26 balls, with two fours and three sixes) helped DC reach 133/7. Unfortunately, SRH could not chase the target due to the rain.

Currently, DC sits in fifth place with six wins, four losses, and one no result, totaling 13 points. Meanwhile, SRH is in eighth place with three wins, seven losses, and one no result, accumulating seven points.