SRH advanced to its first final in six years in 2024. With five victories in their first seven games, they got off to a great start. At the end of the group stage, they were equal with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on 17 points after three additional victories and an abandoned game, although SRH finished second thanks to a higher net run rate. After losing to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the first qualifier, they defeated RR in the second to get to the final, where they were defeated by KKR once more.
With their extremely aggressive batting style, SRH dominated the IPL last season, surpassing 250 three times and breaking the previous record for the highest IPL total (287 for 3) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Given that Ishan Kishan was added at the auction and that Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are still in the lineup, SRH is unlikely to alter their plan.
Despite having a fantastic top five, SRH lacks depth in their local batting lineup. Sachin Baby last appeared in the IPL in 2021, Abhinav Manohar only played two games in 2024, and Aniket Verma is in his first season. As a result, SRH may consider adding Kamindu Mendis to strengthen their lineup as skipper Pat Cummins, Head, and Klaasen are locked in overseas.
Even though SRH kept Cummins and brought back Jaydev Unadkat after first letting him go, their bowling assault will look completely different in 2025. Rahul Chahar, Harshal Patel, and Mohammed Shami are now with Cummins and Unadkat. Since their staple since 2014, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, is no longer with SRH, Shami is probably going to take the new ball. Adam Zampa and Wiaan Mulder are two options for SRH’s international bowling lineup. Reddy, Abhishek, Head, and Kamindu may all contribute a few overs.
Likely best XII
Last season, Abhishek and Head dominated opponents and elevated the powerplay concept to new heights. However, the pair only managed to add 15 runs in their final four games, failing to maintain their scorching form. But if SRH’s openers perform well in even half of their games this season, the opponents might have nowhere to hide.
During the previous two IPL seasons, Mohammed Shami claimed 28 wickets in the powerplay at an average of 21.25 and an economy of 7.08. But he missed more than a year of cricket due to an ankle ailment that necessitated surgery. He has taken two wickets while bowling in the powerplay in four Twenty20 matches since his return. Then, in the Champions Trophy, he took nine wickets in 41 overs, demonstrating his form and fitness. SRH won’t be as affected by Bhuvneshwar’s absence if he remains healthy and can hit with the new ball on a regular basis.
Important statistics
Shami has claimed 14 wickets in 11 Twenty20 matches for Bengal and India after his recovery from ankle surgery. He had an economy rate of 8.02 and an average of 23.50.
In his 28 appearances since the conclusion of the 2024 Indian Premier League, Abhishek Sharma has a strike rate of 200.86. Two of his three hundreds during that time have occurred in his last six games.
Who is uncertain or out?
After missing the Champions Trophy due to an ankle ailment, Cummins has resumed bowling. He recovered with rehabilitation and didn’t need surgery. Cummins’ final T20 appearance was at the MLC final in July of last year. Following the IPL, Australia will hope Cummins stays injury-free for the WTC final and a Test visit to the West Indies.
Mulder was brought in by SRH to replace Brydon Carse after the latter suffered a left toe injury during England’s Champions Trophy tour of India.
