Where They Finished in This Cycle
- 2022: 8th
- 2023: 10th
- 2024: Runer-up
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Season at a Glance
Finishing at the bottom in 2023, Sunrisers Hyderabad were poised for a fairytale comeback by winning the title in 2024. Despite the odds after the auctions, SRH came tantalizingly close to completing the perfect redemption story, falling just short against Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.
Regardless of the final outcome, it was a memorable season for SRH. Pre-season, there were doubts about whether Pat Cummins, despite his stellar year as captain in Tests and ODIs, could chart a successful path for a T20 team. The answer was a resounding ‘yes,’ as Sunrisers transformed their cricket style to become the most entertaining batting side of the tournament. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma formed a formidable opening pair, while Nitish Reddy emerged as the season’s standout player. Coupled with Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive middle-order performances, SRH frequently decimated bowling attacks, setting two all-time IPL record totals.
On the downside, their bowling lacked consistency and often played second fiddle to the batting unit. The absence of a quality spin attack was a significant drawback, except for their performance on a dry Chepauk surface against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. Losing Sri Lanka’s star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to injury at the start of the season further hampered Sunrisers’ efforts. Additionally, they struggled with the fourth overseas spot due to Aiden Markram’s underwhelming performance. Surprisingly, New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips, who had a similar skill set, never got a game. Ironically, it was their batting that failed SRH twice in the playoffs, particularly in the final.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Player of the Season: Abhishek Sharma
While his opening partner Travis Head was renowned for being a bowler’s nightmare, especially in the powerplay, young Abhishek Sharma was still working his way up to becoming a dynamic batter. And he certainly succeeded, accumulating 484 runs in the season at an impressive strike rate of 204. What makes these numbers even more remarkable is that Abhishek never faced more than 30 balls in any of his innings, making him the first batter in T20 league history to score over 400 runs in a tournament under such conditions.
He also led the six-hitting charts with 42 maximums, showcasing his dominance against spin and slower bowlers. Although his bowling skills were largely unused, Pat Cummins unleashed him in Qualifier 2 on a spin-friendly track against the Rajasthan Royals, where Abhishek took the crucial wickets of Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Best Game
Defeating the Royals in Qualifier 2 was undoubtedly SRH’s most important win of the season, but in terms of memorability, the earlier duel against the same opponents in Hyderabad tops the charts for Sunrisers. It was a proper see-saw game where the hosts posted an intimidating total of 201, with Nitish Reddy, Travis Head, and Heinrich Klaasen all going full throttle on a not-so-easy surface.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag hit back with masterful fifties that nearly made a mockery of the chase. However, their wickets caused the momentum to ebb and flow, bringing the equation down to 13 needed off the final over. With a set Rovman Powell at the crease and SRH penalized for their over rate with an extra fielder in the ring, it seemed like RR’s game to lose. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar turned back the clock with a fantastic final over. With two needed off the final ball, Powell was trapped LBW, giving SRH a thrilling win.
Positives- A Move That Worked For Sunrisers Hyderabad
A significant positive for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season was the appointment of Pat Cummins as captain. Despite questions about his ability to lead a T20 side following his success in Tests and ODIs, Cummins provided a clear roadmap to success. Under his leadership, SRH redefined their cricket style, becoming the most entertaining batting side of the tournament. The opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma proved to be formidable, with Sharma emerging as one of their the players of the season by scoring 484 runs at a strike rate of 204, and setting records for six-hitting.
The discovery of Nitish Reddy who won the ‘Emerging Player of The Season’ of IPL 2024 and the explosive middle-order performances by Heinrich Klaasen further bolstered their batting lineup. Additionally, Cummins’ strategic decisions, such as utilizing Abhishek Sharma’s bowling in crucial moments, paid off handsomely, as evidenced in Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals. Despite challenges with their bowling consistency and injuries, these strategic moves and individual performances showcased SRH’s potential and provided a solid foundation for future success.
Negatives: A Move That Didn’t Work For Sunrisers Hyderabad
Until the sensational acquisition of Pat Cummins at the 2024 IPL auctions, Aiden Markram seemed destined to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad this year, especially after securing successive titles in the SA20 for the franchise. However, Cummins’ ascension to captaincy coincided with Markram’s sudden decline in batting form.
Despite this, SRH persisted with the South African, perhaps longer than necessary, overlooking a potential alternative in Glenn Phillips, who remained benched throughout the season. Although Markram was eventually dropped towards the end of the season in favor of an overseas spin option, he was later recalled for the playoffs. Unfortunately, his performances were underwhelming, with just 220 runs across 11 innings, a solitary fifty, and a lackluster strike rate of 124.
Stars of This Cycle For Sunrisers Hyderabad
Heinrich Klaasen
Surprisingly unsold at the 2022 mega auction, Heinrich Klaasen found a new home with SRH at the mini-auctions preceding the 2023 season. It was a period where Klaasen showcased his peak prowess as a white-ball player, particularly in demolishing spinners with ease. The 32-year-old seamlessly translated this form into the IPL, amassing an impressive 448 runs at a striking strike rate of 177. His performances stood out as a beacon of brilliance in an otherwise disappointing season for SRH, who finished at the bottom of the table.
Klaasen continued to shine this year, accumulating 479 runs at a strike rate of 171. While his consistency may have slightly dipped compared to the previous season, he remained a crucial middle-order enforcer for SRH, complementing the early onslaughts by Head and Abhishek effectively.
Who Should They Retain Ahead of The 2025 Mega Auction
Ahead of the 2025 Mega Auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad faces a dilemma regarding player retention. Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen are all strong contenders for retention, given their impactful performances. However, the leadership and bowling prowess of Pat Cummins cannot be overlooked. Cummins has played a pivotal role in leading the dramatic turnaround for the franchise this year. While Head and Klaasen offer significant batting strength, Abhishek’s value as an Indian player adds to the decision-making complexity. Ultimately, the franchise may face a difficult decision between retaining Head or Klaasen, balancing their overseas and domestic player slots.
*Retention/RTM rules ahead of the mega auction haven’t been finalized by the IPL GC. This is just a hypothetical case.
