Brydon Carse Out, Wiaan Mulder In; SRH's Strongest XI For 1st IPL 2025 Match vs RR

Aashay Chopade

SRH will be led by Pat Cummins again in IPL 2025 (Source: ILT20.com)SRH will be led by Pat Cummins again in IPL 2025 (Source: ILT20.com)

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The IPL 2025 will kickstart on March 22 with defending Champions KKR going up against RCB. On day two though, the runners-up of the last edition, SRH will start off their campaign against Sanju Samson's Rajasthan Royals.

South African All-Rounder Replaces Brydon Carse For IPL 2025

SRH played the most entertaining brand of cricket in the last season and have tried to close the small gaps in this year's IPL auction, making them an even powerful team. However, ahead of the season, they have lost a key all-rounder Brydon Carse due to injury in Champions Trophy and South African Wiaan Mulder has been included in his place. 

Thus, keeping in mind the change and the arsenal of SRH along with the conditions and opposition in the first game, here is Sunrisers Hyderabad's strongest playing XI for the match against Rajasthan Royals.

SRH's Full Squad For IPL 2025

Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins (c), Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Rahul Chahar, Abhinav Manohar, Adam Zampa, Simarjeet Singh, Eshan Malinga, Wiaan Mulder, Jaydev Unadkat, Kamindu Mendis, Zeeshan Ansari, Aniket Verma, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby

Head-Abhishek To Open; Ishan Kishan At 3

Travis Head and Abishek Sharma set the stage on fire with their ultra-aggressive batting at the top of the order for SRH in IPL 2024. Abhishek scored his runs at a strike-rate of over 200 while Travis Head's strike-rate was 191.55, showing the kind of impact they made in SRH's big batting performances in the last game.

Travis Head In IPL 2024

Criterion
Data
Innings15
Runs567
Strike-Rate191.55

Abhishek Sharma In IPL 2024

Criterion
Data
Innings16
Runs484
Strike-Rate204.21

Both of them have been in great form at the international level too as openers and will continue in that role. So, Ishan Kishan who is naturally an opener, will bat at number 3 and can help SRH continue the same aggressive approach with his skills and experience. In four innings at number 3 for India, he has two fifties as well, making him a good candidate for that position.

Middle Order For SRH In IPL 2025

Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Abhinav Manohar, Wiaan Mulder

Nitish Reddy will take the important number four position, as he found lot of success at that position in the last IPL. He also delivered at number 4 for India in T20Is and with success at the Test level, this could be a big IPL for Nitish Reddy. At number 5, will be dangerous Heinrich Klaasen, he is one of the fearsome hitters of the cricket ball. He scored 479 runs in the last season at a strike-rate of over 170 and would be the main finisher in their XI.

Abhinav Manohar In Maharaja T20 Cup 2024

Criterion
Data
Innings10
Runs507
Strike-Rate196.51

At number six will be Abhinav Manohar, the powerful right-handed batter was in stunning for in Maharaja T20 Cup 2024, and if he bats the same way, he could be a match-winner for his side. At number five would be Wiaan Mulder who will provide the depth with his all-round skills and has the ability to adapt his game according to the game situation.

Bowlers For SRH In IPL 2025

Pat Cummins, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar

The pace attack will be led by their skipper Pat Cummins. He was impressive with 18 wickets in the last season and was quite good as a leader too. Mohammed Shami will be their premier Indian pacer. He is back after a long injury, and is getting to his best while there will be a toss-up between Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel.

Unadkat is likely to get a go in the first game over Harshal Patel as he will provide variety with his left-arm angle while Rahul Chahar would be their frontline spinner. Zeeshan Ansari could come in as an Impact player if SRH is bowling second, as he would add spin depth and emerged as a genuine wicket-taker in UP T20 2024 with 24 wickets in 12 innings. If they bat second, Zeeshan can play in XI and Abhinav Manohar can be brought to bat in the second half as an Impact Player.

SRH's Strongest XI For IPL 2025

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Abhinav Manohar, Wiaan Mulder, Pat Cummins (C), Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar

Impact Player - Zeeshan Ansari if SRH bowl second, Abhinav Manohar If SRH Bowl First