The SRH IPL 2025 elimination was a bitter pill for Sunrisers Hyderabad fans, who watched their team plummet from the highs of the 2024 final to a shocking ninth-place finish in 2025. With just 3 wins in 11 games and a net run rate of -1.103, SRH’s campaign unraveled spectacularly. Despite a blazing start against Rajasthan Royals, where they posted 286/6, the Orange Army faltered, leaving fans and analysts questioning what went wrong. In this in-depth analysis, we uncover five critical reasons behind Sunrisers Hyderabad’s downfall, from inconsistent batting to strategic blunders. Let’s dive into the numbers and narratives that defined SRH’s disastrous IPL 2025 season.
1. Inconsistent Batting: SRH’s Top Order Collapse
Inconsistent batting SRH SRH’s batting, a powerhouse in IPL 2024 with six 200+ totals, crumbled under pressure in 2025. The team’s aggressive approach, led by openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, failed to deliver consistency. Ishan Kishan, a marquee signing for ₹11.25 crore, started with a sensational 106* off 47 balls against RR but managed only 196 runs in 10 matches, averaging a paltry 24.50. Times of India noted that SRH’s top order, including Head (311 runs, strike rate 153.96) and Abhishek Sharma, struggled to replicate their 2024 form.
Head coach Daniel Vettori highlighted the batting woes, stating, “I don’t think we’ve put together complete performances. We’ve let ourselves down in one facet, probably in every match.” India Today. This inconsistency was evident in matches like the DC clash, where SRH lost four wickets in the powerplay, with Kishan (2 off 5), Nitish Kumar Reddy (0 off 2), and Head (22 off 12) falling cheaply.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | 196 | 10 | 24.50 | – |
| Travis Head | 311 | 10 | – | 153.96 |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 131 | – | 24.71 | 113.91 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | – | – | – | 120.14 |
The middle order, including Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy, couldn’t compensate for the top-order failures. Klaasen’s highest score was just 35, a stark contrast to his 2024 heroics. SRH’s inability to build partnerships (averaging 21.68 per partnership, the lowest in IPL 2025) put immense pressure on the lower order, sealing their fate in key games.
2. Over-Reliance on Pat Cummins: A Captain Under Pressure
Pat Cummins over-reliance Pat Cummins, SRH’s captain and spearhead, was expected to lead from the front after his 18-wicket haul in IPL 2024. However, in 2025, he managed only 10 wickets in 10 matches, with an economy rate of 12.30. Times of India. SRH’s over-reliance on Cummins for leadership and bowling exposed their lack of depth. His struggles were evident in the RR opener, where he conceded 60 runs without a wicket.
Vettori acknowledged the team’s dependence on Cummins, saying, “We’ve failed to put in collective efforts, leading to our downfall.” India Today. With other bowlers like Mohammed Shami (6 wickets in 9 matches) and Harshal Patel failing to step up consistently, SRH’s bowling unit couldn’t support Cummins, leaving him to shoulder an unsustainable burden.
| Player | Wickets | Matches | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Cummins | 10 | 10 | 12.30 |
| Mohammed Shami | 6 | 9 | 10.00 |
| Zeeshan Ansari | 6 | 8 | – |
Cummins’ leadership decisions, like persisting with expensive bowlers in crucial overs, also drew criticism. Fans on X lamented SRH’s lack of a Plan B, with one post stating, “Cummins is fighting a lone battle, but SRH needs more heroes.” This over-reliance on one player was a key factor in their elimination.
3. Strategic Missteps: The Nitish Kumar Reddy Conundrum
SRH’s strategic missteps, particularly around team selection, played a significant role in their IPL 2025 elimination. One glaring error was the inconsistent handling of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Despite his potential, Reddy was underutilized, scoring 131 runs at a strike rate of 113.91 and not bowling at all. His unexpected exclusion in key matches disrupted SRH’s balance, as noted in fan discussions on X.
Vettori admitted to tactical errors, stating, “The big thing for us is around assessing conditions. We haven’t navigated the powerplay well.” Times of India. Dropping Reddy, who could have provided stability in the middle order and chipped in with overs, was a baffling decision. SRH’s persistence with an unchanged top-heavy batting order, even on slower pitches, further compounded their woes.
| Strategic Issue | Impact |
|---|---|
| Dropping Nitish Kumar Reddy | Disrupted batting and bowling balance |
| Poor condition assessment | Failed to adapt to slower pitches |
| Inconsistent team selections | Lack of role clarity for players |
Matches like the GT clash, where SRH failed to chase 209, highlighted their tactical shortcomings. Cummins later reflected, “We need to be realistic… maybe we could have chosen better options.” India Today. These missteps cost SRH dearly in a competitive tournament.
4. High Powerplay Economy Rate: Bowling Leaks Galore
SRH’s bowling unit was a shadow of its 2024 self, particularly in the powerplay, where they recorded the worst economy rate in IPL 2025 at 10.74. ESPNcricinfo. Mohammed Shami, expected to lead the attack, took only 6 wickets in 9 matches, while Cummins struggled with an economy of 12.30. The absence of a quality spinner after Adam Zampa’s injury further weakened their bowling.
Vettori pinpointed the powerplay as a major issue, saying, “We haven’t been near our best in any of the last four games… our powerplay strategy has been pretty poor.” Times of India. Games like the RR opener, where RR scored 77 in the powerplay despite losing 3 wickets, exposed SRH’s inability to contain aggressive starts.
| Bowling Metric | Stat |
|---|---|
| Powerplay Economy Rate | 10.74 (Worst in IPL 2025) |
| Death Overs Economy Rate | 16.89 (Worst in IPL 2025) |
| Powerplay Wickets Lost by SRH | 10 (Most in IPL 2025) |
The lack of a reliable spinner and over-dependence on pace allowed opponents to dominate early overs. Fans on X criticized SRH’s bowling strategy, with one post stating, “SRH’s high powerplay economy rate is killing their chances.” This weakness was a nail in the coffin for their playoff hopes.
5. Poor Season Record: A Campaign Without Momentum
SRH’s dismal season record—3 wins in 11 games, languishing at ninth with a net run rate of -1.103—reflected their inability to sustain momentum. After their RR win (286/6), SRH suffered four straight losses, including a 38-run defeat to GT. Times of India. Their sole victories came against RR and CSK, but these were too few to salvage their campaign.
Vettori lamented the lack of consistency, stating, “Three losses in a row… we’ve still got to keep believing that our style will come off.” ESPNcricinfo. However, SRH’s aggressive batting template, which worked wonders in 2024, faltered against better-prepared oppositions. Their fielding, another weak link, cost them crucial runs, as Vettori noted: “We’ve been pretty poor in the field.”
| Season Metric | Stat |
|---|---|
| Wins | 3 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Position | 9th |
| Net Run Rate | -1.103 |
SRH’s inability to string together wins, coupled with early exits in must-win games, ensured their elimination. Fans on X expressed frustration, with one post reading, “SRH’s poor season record is a wake-up call for the management.”
More Details: IPL Official Website
Conclusion: Can SRH Bounce Back?
The SRH IPL 2025 elimination was a result of multiple failures: inconsistent batting, over-reliance on Pat Cummins, strategic missteps like dropping Nitish Kumar Reddy, a high powerplay economy rate, and a poor season record. Despite their explosive potential, SRH couldn’t replicate their 2024 magic, leaving fans heartbroken. Vettori’s candid admission, “We just haven’t been near our best,” sums up their campaign.
Looking ahead, SRH needs to address their bowling depth, reassess their aggressive batting approach, and make smarter tactical decisions. With talents like Kishan, Head, and Cummins, a comeback in 2026 is possible, but only with significant changes. What do you think went wrong for SRH in IPL 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below and check out our SRH IPL 2024 analysis for a look at their past glory. Join us for more details.
FAQ: SRH IPL 2025 Elimination
1. What caused SRH IPL 2025 elimination?
The SRH IPL 2025 elimination resulted from inconsistent batting, over-reliance on Pat Cummins, strategic missteps like dropping Nitish Kumar Reddy, a high powerplay economy rate of 10.74, and a poor season record of 3 wins in 11 games. These factors derailed Sunrisers Hyderabad’s playoff hopes, landing them ninth in the points table.
2. Why was SRH’s batting inconsistent in IPL 2025?
Inconsistent batting SRH plagued their IPL 2025 campaign, with key players like Ishan Kishan (196 runs, 24.50 average) and Travis Head (311 runs, 153.96 strike rate) failing to maintain form after strong starts. The middle order, including Heinrich Klaasen, also struggled, leading to frequent collapses and low partnership averages (21.68).
3. How did Pat Cummins’ over-reliance affect SRH in IPL 2025?
Pat Cummins over-reliance was a major factor in SRH’s downfall. As captain and lead bowler, Cummins took 10 wickets in 10 matches but couldn’t replicate his 2024 form (18 wickets). With limited support from bowlers like Mohammed Shami (6 wickets), SRH’s bowling unit faltered, contributing to their elimination.
4. What role did Nitish Kumar Reddy play in SRH’s IPL 2025 campaign?
Nitish Kumar Reddy IPL 2025 performance was underwhelming, scoring 131 runs at a 113.91 strike rate and not bowling. His unexpected exclusion in key matches disrupted SRH’s balance, a strategic misstep that hindered their ability to stabilize the middle order or contribute with the ball.
5. Why was SRH’s powerplay economy rate so high in IPL 2025?
SRH’s high powerplay economy rate of 10.74, the worst in IPL 2025, stemmed from ineffective bowling strategies and personnel issues. Mohammed Shami’s 6 wickets in 9 matches and the absence of spinner Adam Zampa due to injury allowed opponents to dominate early overs, weakening SRH’s position.
6. What did Daniel Vettori say about SRH’s IPL 2025 performance?
Daniel Vettori quotes highlighted SRH’s struggles, stating, “We’ve let ourselves down in one facet, probably in every match.” He criticized their poor powerplay strategy and lack of collective effort, pinpointing fielding and batting inconsistencies as key reasons for their elimination.
7. How did SRH’s poor season record impact their IPL 2025 campaign?
SRH’s poor season record of 3 wins and 8 losses, with a -1.103 net run rate, reflected their inability to build momentum. Four straight losses after an early win against RR (286/6) ensured their ninth-place finish and early SRH IPL 2025 elimination.
8. What strategic missteps led to SRH’s IPL 2025 elimination?
Strategic missteps, like dropping Nitish Kumar Reddy and failing to adapt to slower pitches, hurt SRH. Vettori noted poor condition assessment, and inconsistent team selections disrupted role clarity, contributing significantly to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2025 downfall.
9. How did SRH’s bowling compare to IPL 2024 in 2025?
SRH’s bowling declined sharply from IPL 2024, with a high powerplay economy rate (10.74) and death overs rate (16.89) in 2025. Unlike 2024’s balanced attack, the absence of a quality spinner and Shami’s struggles left Cummins overburdened, sealing SRH’s fate.
10. Can SRH recover from their IPL 2025 elimination in future seasons?
Despite the SRH IPL 2025 elimination, recovery is possible with talents like Ishan Kishan, Travis Head, and Pat Cummins. Addressing bowling depth, refining batting strategies, and improving tactical decisions could see Sunrisers Hyderabad bounce back in IPL 2026.