Three reasons why Sunrisers Hyderabad failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2025

With yesterday’s rain enforced no result, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chances for qualifying for the playoffs have been quashed, as they have been eliminated from the 2025 Indian Premier League. The hosts were in a good position after keeping Delhi Capitals down to 133 runs, but then the rain struck and ended all hopes of an SRH comeback. 

The 2024 IPL finalists couldn’t give a great account of themselves in the subsequent year, as they failed to build any real momentum this season. One of the strongest teams on paper, Sunrisers Hyderabad failed to translate that strength onto the ground as they became the third team to be eliminated.

Here’s a look at three reasons why SRH failed to qualify for the playoffs of IPL 2025: 

1. No plan B

The blueprint was very clear for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season, they wanted to go hard with their batting and try and breach that elusive 300-run mark. They got a great start as they scored a whopping 286 runs against Rajasthan on opening day, but since then, they couldn’t replicate that kind of form. Opposing teams had become smarter and prepared tricky pitches that weren’t the easiest for run scoring. 

However, instead of adjusting their approach, SRH doubled down on it. They went even harder and ended up losing too many wickets too quickly. In the game against Delhi, they lost four wickets in the powerplay, and in the game against MI at home, they were 35/5 within the ninth over. Sunrisers Hyderabad also picked an all-out team at the auctions, going after power hitters without many players in that squad who could anchor the team after a tricky start. While they worked at times as they chased a target over 240 against Punjab, it also led to too many batting collapses. 

2. Big names underperforming

Sunrisers Hyderabad retained the core of their 2024 side, as Pat Cummins continued as captain, while the explosive opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma carried on as well. Heinrich Klaasen became the most expensive player to be retained by a franchise, and Nitish Kumar Reddy along got a pay hike on retention after his exploits with the Indian team in Tests and T20s. However, none of these players really lived up to their billing, as SRH struggled for consistency. There were flashes of brilliance, but they were few and far in between. 

Travis Head averaged 40.5 in the 2024 season, compared to the 28.1 that he has returned this time around. Abhishek Sharma got a century against PBKS and a big score against GT, but apart from that, it has had a largely anonymous season. Klaasen too hasn’t been able to replicate his spin-hitting prowess, as he came into the IPL with a dismal record in the SA20 league and the Champions Trophy. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been hampered by not being able to bowl this season due to an injury, and hasn’t had the same impact purely as a batter. 

3. Ineffective Death Bowling

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) failure to qualify for IPL 2025 can be attributed to their ineffective death bowling. Despite having experienced bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, and Harshal Patel, SRH struggled to contain runs in the final overs. 

In several matches, including the April 6 game against Gujarat Titans, where SRH conceded 224 runs, the bowlers leaked crucial runs in the death overs, turning winnable situations into losses. Harshal Patel, known for his death-over prowess, was expensive in key games, and Shami, while effective with the new ball, couldn't replicate the same control towards the end. This inability to execute yorkers and slower deliveries under pressure allowed opposition teams to post or chase down formidable totals, ultimately leading to SRH's early exit from the tournament.