Daniel Vettori, Head Coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has acknowledged that the 2025 IPL season did not pan out the way he had hoped, mainly due to conditions at their home ground, which were much more difficult for batters than anticipated. After SRH’s washout against Delhi Capitals, which ended their playoff hopes, Vettori discussed some of the challenges his side faced during a disappointing season.
Vettori explained, after the rain-affected match, that when you look at SRH’s batting line-up it is a fairly aggressive group, but their approach was based on trying to assess the conditions in a match — which this season were much more favourable for bowlers than the previous season.
“I certainly didn’t say after every game that I was supporting offence,” said Vettori. “It was reading the game. These surfaces have not been what we expected. Hyderabad had a lot of high-scoring games last year but the ball hasn’t come on as well this year, particularly early in the innings.”
The statistics validate Vettori’s claim. In 2024, teams surpassed the 200-run count seven times in 12 innings at Hyderabad. For this year, that number was reduced to only four in 11 innings. According to Vettori there was nothing wrong with Hyderabad’s pitch, but the new-ball overhead conditions have favored fast bowlers over batters and even spinners.
“There’s been two surfaces producing a 250-plus score,’ he said, ‘but in four of the others it’s been difficult to bat at the start. IPL has some of the best new-ball bowlers in the world, and their new ball produces with the ball.”
Despite this, SRH had a chance against Delhi after Rehan Ahmed had reduced them to 133 for 7 with Pat Cummins leading the charge. Cummins was given the new ball, and bowled an exceptional spell, ending up with 3 for 19 and making use of what could have helped SRH’s cause lead to a vital win. Nevertheless, rain ensured run-chases after the first innings meant the match was abandoned, meaning SRH’s very slim chances of making the playoffs were also over.
“It’s frustrating,” said Vettori. “Today felt like it was on the verge of being a total performance, but we just couldn’t finish that performance.”
The playing XI felt the absence of experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who had a substantive season with only six wickets in nine games with an average of 56.16. Vettori justified what the side thinks was the right call due to conditions, but maintained that at least Shami was putting in the work off the field.
“It has been a tough season for Shami, but he has been putting the work in, The decision to go with Cummins up front proved to be a good one for us today and it showed why he is so prized as a Test-match bowler in the right conditions.”
With only three wins from ten matches, SRH’s campaign has been inconsistent and have been unable to put a full performance together on the field. Out of contention for the playoffs, the side is now focused on trying to finish the season strongly, in the hope to carry some type of momentum into years to come.
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