IPL 2025: SRH’s Time is Fast Running Out

For a team that was widely considered as having aced the December mega auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad finds itself in the most unexpected of places in the actual season --- the bottom of the points table.

SRH, having lost its last four matches, is in great pressure as time is fast running out on it. It is unable to find a plan B to its ways. And its hit or miss approach that piloted it to the finals last year is not at all working this year.

In the event, its contest against Punjab Kings (PBKS), at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad tonight, ma be its last chance at redemption this year. If its fluffs its line, as it were, again, one can possibly write off its chances just as has been the case with its southern neighbour CSK.

SRH's performances have been marred by inconsistent batting and ineffective bowling, leading to four consecutive losses. PBKS, on the other hand, is riding high with three wins in four matches. It is in fifth place, and a win here can push it higher and make its layoff chances brighter.

SRH and PBKS have faced each other 23 times in IPL history. SRH holds a dominant record with 16 wins, while PBKS has managed only 7 victories. The last encounter between these two teams saw SRH emerge victorious.

SRH has sort out its misfiring top and middle order comprising Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishen and Heinrich Klaasen. It is not that they are out of form --- Kishen in fact scored a century in his debut this season for SRH. Its one-note aggressive approach is no longer working.  Pat Cummins, the captain also needs to lead from the front, especially with the ball in the death overs. Mohammed Shami will be more than keen to prove himself tonight against his former franchise PBKS

For the Punjab outfit, Shreyas Iyer, the captain was in good touch in the first two matches. But all eyes are on the opener Priyansh Arya who plundered a sensational century against CSK. Arshdeep Singh's left-arm pace has been effective in the powerplay and death overs.

PBKS's aggressive batting lineup will test SRH's struggling bowling attack, while SRH's top-order batters need to step up to counter PBKS's disciplined bowling. The pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has been challenging for batters this season, with an average first-innings score of 163. Spinners are likely to play a significant role in the middle overs.

Overall, it looks now or never for SRH tonight.

Probable teams:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kamindu Mendis, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins (c), Zeeshan Ansari, Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal