Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) enter the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) as one of the favourites for the title. Pat Cummins’ team caught the attention of millions last year, with their swushbuckling and attacking brand of cricket breaking records en route to an appearance in the final.

They ultimately fell short to eventual champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), but SRH look strong once again thanks to a clear strategy on retentions and purchases in the mega auction period.

In this article, we will look at SRH’s possible XII and analyse some of their key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in IPL 2025.

SRH IPL 2025 Preview: Is this the year of the Orange Army?

SRH Possible XII

1. Travis Head (OS), 2. Abhishek Sharma, 3. Ishan Kishan, 4. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5. Heinrich Klaasen (OS, wk), 6. Aniket Verma, 7. Abhinav Manohar, 8. Pat Cummins (OS, c), 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Adam Zampa (OS), 11. Rahul Chahar, 12. Harshal Patel

Batting power will underpin SRH’s strategy once again. They have added Ishan Kishan to an already strong top five. Also, they have added plenty of experience in their bowling ranks, with Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar expected to form a key part of the attack along with skipper Cummins.

Batting Analysis: Powerplay dominance and spin-hitting

SRH smashed three of the four highest IPL totals last season. They hammered 287/3 against RCB, 277/3 against MI, and 266/7 against DC.

Travis Head smashed 401 runs in the powerplay at a strike rate of 208.9 in IPL 2024. Abhishek Sharma was just as dynamic, with his 343 powerplay runs coming at a strike rate of 203.

Head and Abhishek were predictable retentions for SRH given their exploits in 2024, which included 125 runs in a single powerplay against the Delhi Capitals. They will be central to SRH’s strategy once again, especially on flat pitches where they can get so much of a headstart that the opposition may struggle to recover.

Ishan Kishan and the ever-improving Nitish Kumar Reddy are excellent follow ups. Heinrich Klaasen, welcomed so joyfully by SRH fans, struck at 180.2 against spin in IPL 2024. Depending on the start provided by the top order, SRH have the luxury of elevating Klaasen up the order to take on the spinners and set up those big scores.

How will SRH sort out the number 6 and 7 positions?

One potential area of concern for SRH is their lower order. Abhinav Manohar, with a T20 strike rate of 149.07, could prove to be a key player. The promising Aniket Sharma, who struck 46 off 16 balls in a practice game leading up to IPL 2025, is also one to watch.

SRH need impact from these positions, especially if the top five have even a bit of an off day. If they do, they will be even better placed for a playoffs and finals push.

Can this SRH lineup perform if batting on a tricky surface?

The pitches around the country were superb for batting in IPL 2024. However, what if SRH are faced with trickier surfaces that seam or spin in IPL 2025? The impact of Head and Abhishek will be fascinating to see, while the technically correct Nitish Kumar Reddy could prove crucial in holding the innings together in such a scenario.

Bowling arsenal: Experience and defensive bowling ability

Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa are two solid defensive bowling options in T20s. Cummins has come of age in this regard, with a range of variations on show even during IPL 2024, particularly in the record match against RCB.

With RCB’s batters going all guns blazing in the chase of 288, Cummins conceded just 25 runs in his first three overs before finishing with 3/43. Such returns are important for the SRH captain on flat pitches, which gives other members of the bowling attack a little more room for error.

That being said, Mohammed Shami can give SRH headstarts in the powerplay. He is a genuine wicket-taker in this period. In fact, he took 17 wickets between overs 1-6 in 2023, playing a key role in GT’s run to the final.

Also, how Harshal Patel performs is key to SRH’s chances. His wicket-taking ability is clear, as seen with his Purple Cap award in 2024, but an economy rate of 9.73 is something SRH would like to see head downwards. Whether he can be effective with his slower balls on flat pitches in particular remains to be seen.

Conclusion: How will SRH fare?

Opposition teams will be spending plenty of time doing their homework on SRH. However, whether they can execute effectively is a whole different challenge.

SRH possess a number of players who can take the game away. They will look to dominate with their striking and bat teams out of contests.

Expect SRH to finish in the playoffs spots at the very least. If they don’t, it will prove to be a very disappointing season indeed.

Do catch our preview of SRH on the CricBlog TV Channel as well!