IPL 2025: Sunrisers Hyderabad Coach Daniel Vettori Explains Where It All Went Wrong

By Admin

06 May, 2025

The IPL 2025 campaign has ended on a disappointing note for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), a team that began the previous season as one of the most exciting and aggressive sides in the league. After setting the standard in IPL 2024 with their explosive batting led by Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, the franchise saw a significant decline this season, managing just three wins in 11 games and bowing out of playoff contention after a rain-affected no result against Delhi Capitals (DC).

In a candid post-match press conference, head coach Daniel Vettori shed light on the multiple factors that contributed to SRH’s underwhelming performance. Chief among them were the unpredictable and tricky pitch conditions at their home ground in Hyderabad.

Conditions Didn't Match Expectations

"These surfaces in particular have been a little bit different. It has been tricky, it has not been easy for the batters," said Vettori. Unlike last year, where the Hyderabad pitch regularly produced high-scoring thrillers — with teams crossing the 200-run mark seven times out of 12 innings — this season saw only four 200+ scores out of 11 innings. Only two of the six games hosted in Hyderabad offered 250-plus batting tracks, while the rest turned out to be far more bowling-friendly, especially for fast bowlers with the new ball.

Vettori explained that while SRH had initially aimed to stick to their ultra-aggressive batting strategy, they had to pivot due to the unexpected nature of the pitches. "We are about assessing conditions, and this year, the conditions weren't as we expected. The new ball was sticky, hard to hit, and didn’t come onto the bat well," he added.

Inconsistency and Missed Opportunities

While poor pitch conditions played a part, Vettori also pointed to the team’s inability to string together consistent performances. “We came in with high hopes, but we have not been consistent enough. I have spoken a number of times about not being able to put complete performances together," he stated.

The final game against DC was a microcosm of their season — promising, but unfinished. After reducing DC to a paltry 133/7 with some stellar bowling led by skipper Pat Cummins (3/19), the match was washed out, robbing SRH of a potentially easy two points.

Shami’s Struggles and Cummins’ Leadership

One of the notable talking points has been the form of senior pacer Mohammed Shami, who struggled all season, taking just six wickets in nine games at a costly average of 56.16 and an economy of 11.23. Shami was eventually dropped in favor of better tactical balance, particularly on the Hyderabad surfaces.

Cummins, on the other hand, has been a silver lining for the team. Despite mixed results, he showed his class, especially when taking the new ball — a role he was handed for only the second time this season. Cummins ended with 13 wickets in 11 games, averaging 27.92 with an economy of 9.15. “He’s been able to mix and match depending on team needs. Today showed why he’s such a dominant bowler,” Vettori said.

Looking Ahead

SRH now find themselves in the eighth spot on the points table with three wins, seven losses, and one no-result, totaling just seven points. In contrast, DC’s 13 points keep them in the hunt for playoffs.

Despite the setbacks, Vettori remains hopeful. “Hopefully, this performance from Pat and the overall fight we’ve seen today can carry into the last three games of the season,” he concluded.

While the 2025 season did not go according to plan, it’s clear that conditions, form, and consistency all played their part. For SRH, a tough season will serve as a learning curve as they look to regroup and come back stronger next year.