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Why Kavya Maran's 3.20 Crore Auction Blunder Might Cost SRH An IPL 2025 Playoff Berth

Anurag Dasgupta

Kavya Maran auction mistake [Source: @iplt20.com] Kavya Maran auction mistake [Source: @iplt20.com]

The Sunrisers Hyderabad came into the IPL 2025 with a lot of buzz and an air of excitement, however, despite winning their opening clash in emphatic style, the team has now lost back-to-back matches. They crushed the Rajasthan Royals easily and then Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals brought them back on Earth.

Just like last season, SRH owner, Kavya Maran once again invested in attacking batters, and had made almost all the right moves in the mega auction, barring one. The decision to replace Abdul Samad with Abhinav Manohar might prove to be costly as the 3.20 crore buy might derail SRH's momentum and could hamper their playoff berth.

Why releasing Abdul Samad was a mistake by Kavya Maran?

The aggressive batter turned out to be an instrumental finisher for SRH last season and had a strike-rate of 168. Despite doing well as a finisher, SRH decided to release him and did not consider buying him in the auction.

Criterion
2024
2025
Matches162*
Strike-rate168.52245

(Abdul Samad IPL strike-rate 2024, 2025)

The finisher had a strike-rate of nearly 170 in 2024 and after leaving SRH, it improved massively playing for LSG, as the batter now strikes at 245. He has a clear game-plan now and could have been a handy option for SRH at number 7.

Why replacing Samad with Manohar was a disaster move?

Abhinav Manohar came into the SRH side with a lot of expectations but after three games, the decision to buy him for 3.20 crore is proving to be a disaster.

Criterion
Data
Matches3
Runs6
Strike-rate46.15

(Manohar stats in IPL 2025)

The numbers don't lie, Abhinav Manohar, so far has proven to be a disaster move for SRH. The Orange Army heavily relies on their batting, and the number 7 position in their batting order is really crucial. However, in that place, Manohar has faltered in three matches.

The former GT star might have a couple of more games to showcase his skills, because if he continues to play the same way, SRH's playoff chances could be in jeopardy.