Ishan Kishan with Abhishek Sharma (Source:@IshanWK32/X.com)
The anticipation around the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League is increasing with each passing day and it is expected to be a cracker-jacker of season. Sunrisers Hyderabad, the finalists of the last edition, are one of the team to watch out with the way they played in the last season, and would be eying to lift the title this time around.
They have brought in some talented players in their squad to fill the gaps from the last season and many of them have a point to prove when they don the Orange jersey in IPL 2025. So, let's now look at the three players who would be itching to show their value in the upcoming edition.
1. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan, the pocket dynamite, as he is fondly known has gone through some times in the last year or so. His trouble started when he pulled out of South Africa tour due to personal reasons and has since not represented India. He has done decently in some domestic tournaments in the last few months, but other wicketkeepers have moved up the pecking order, and he he needs a big season to stake his claim for the national selection.
Ishan Kishan's IPL Record
Criterion | Data |
---|---|
Innings | 99 |
Runs | 2644 |
Average | 28.43 |
Strike-Rate | 135.86 |
50s/100s | 16/0 |
MI also did not retain him and he is likely to bat at number 3 for SRH this season. Ishan Kishan also has all the talent to make himself visible again and has been one of the finest wicketkeeper batters in the league with more than 400 runs in a season three times so far. In IPL 2024, his strike-rate was 148.83 and with point to prove this season, he would be determined to make a big impact.
2. Rahul Chahar
Rahul Chahar made a big impression as a leggie in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 season, but his stocks have gone down drastically after that. He even played for India in that period, but after the T20 World Cup 2021, he has been out of favour and could not make an impact after his switch to PBKS.
Rahul Chahar In IPL
Criterion | Data |
---|---|
Innings | 77 |
Wickets | 75 |
Average | 28.54 |
Strike-Rate | 22.1 |
This season is another chance for him to get himself back in the national selectors' radar and under a quality captain like Pat Cummins, he could get back to his best. In his early days, his USP was his ability to choke the batters in the middle overs on a flat deck at Wankhede, and that experience could also help him tackle the good batting conditions in Hyderabad.
He did well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy recently with eight wickets in four matches and that confidence could help him find his feet at the IPL level again.
3. Abhinav Manohar
The Karnataka power-hitter is touted as one of the most clean-hitters of the cricket ball in the Indian domestic circuit. However, he has not lived upto his billing at the IPL level so far and is yet to score a half century in the 19 matches he has played in the league.
Abhinav Manohar In T20s
Criterion | Data |
---|---|
Innings | 33 |
Runs | 729 |
Average | 31.69 |
Strike-Rate | 149.07 |
However, IPL 2025 could be his golden chance to stamp his authority. SRH are known for their aggressive mindset and Manohar could get lot of freedom in their setup. Also, he has been in the form of his life lately with runs in Maharaja T20 Cup, Vijay Hazare Trophy and SMAT 2024. In Maharaja T20 Cup, his strike-rate was 196.51. In SMAT, it was 147.22 while in the 50-over tournament, Vijay Hazare Trophy, he hit his 235 runs at a strike-rate of 145.05 and an average of 47.
Thus, with form on his side, he would be itching to prove a point and take that much-awaited next step in his career.