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How The IPL Teams Have Exposed SRH; Top Order Firepower Has Turned To Achilles Heel In 2025

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) entered IPL 2025 with high expectations after establishing themselves as a formidable batting unit in the previous season. However, their early campaign has been derailed by opposition teams systematically targeting vulnerabilities in their top order. A closer analysis of the data reveals a striking contrast between their 2024 and 2025 powerplay performances, exposing how opponents have developed a blueprint to neutralize SRH's once-feared batting lineup.

The Bowling Blueprint Against SRH

Opposition teams have clearly shifted their bowling strategies against SRH in 2025:

  • Line and Length Adjustments: While in 2024 bowlers predominantly targeted the good length area outside off-stump, 2025 has seen a tactical shift to bowling wider lines with a greater mix of short-of-good-length deliveries. This has induced more aerial shots, leading to dismissals.
  • Bowler Type Targeting: Right-arm fast-medium bowlers have claimed 3 wickets against SRH's top order, while left-arm fast-medium bowlers have taken 2 wickets. This marks a shift from 2024's more varied approach.
  • Shot Temptation: Data reveals opposition bowlers are deliberately setting fields to encourage high-risk shots. The evidence is clear- 4 of the 8 dismissals came from lofted drives, while pull shots and cut shots accounted for 3 more wickets.

Performance against SRH in IPL 2024 [Source: OneCricket]Performance against SRH in IPL 2024 [Source: OneCricket]

Bowling plan against SRH in IPL 2025 [Source: OneCricketBowling plan against SRH in IPL 2025 [Source: OneCricket

The SRH Weakness Exposed

The most telling statistic reveals SRH's Achilles' heel: their top order batters have been consistently dismissed playing attacking strokes against fast bowlers bowling slightly short of good length. Particularly, the lofted cover drive and backfoot pull shot, which were productive strokes in 2024, have become their undoing in 2025.

Travis Head remains their most effective powerplay batter with a strike rate of 190.00, but even he has been dismissed twice playing aggressive shots. The opposition's strategy is clear – entice SRH's aggressive top order into playing their natural game but with carefully planned fields and bowling plans designed to induce mistakes.

With a 25% win rate so far, SRH must adapt quickly to counter this blueprint that teams have successfully employed against them. The question remains: will they adjust their approach, or will opponents continue to exploit this newfound vulnerability throughout IPL 2025?

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