After the gargantuan 286 in the first match, one thought Sunrisers Hyderabad would have in 2025 to0 the kind of battering ram season that it had last season.

Alas, all those predictions have gone down the drain as the Hyderabad team is looking down the barrel with its 4th defeat on the trot last night against GT --- it was a 7-wicket loss --- and is the bottom-placed team in the league. 

The pitch for last night's match was strange. SRH batters thrive on wickets in which the ball comes to the bat true and fast. But here it was slow and low, exactly the one to nullify the home team batters.  Why have such a wicket in Hyderabad itself was the question on everyone's lips. In the event, SRH batting had another night to forget,

SRH's batting lineup, which includes exploders like Travis Head, Abhishek Varma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen, has failed to deliver consistently. After a record-breaking 286-run performance in its opening match against Rajasthan Royals, the team has struggled to replicate that form, posting totals of 190, 163, 120, and 152 in subsequent games.

The top order has been particularly disappointing, with frequent collapses in the powerplay. The middle-order too has been unable to build substantial partnerships. The middle order, including Nitish Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen, has shown flashes of brilliance but lacks the stability needed to recover from early setbacks. Klaasen's 27 and Reddy's 31 in the against Gujarat Titans were the only notable contributions.

SRH's aggressive batting philosophy, while effective in its opening game, has backfired in subsequent matches. The team has struggled to strike a balance between aggression and caution, leading to frequent collapses. This attack-at-all-cost approach has left them vulnerable, especially against disciplined bowling attacks like those of Gujarat Titans and Lucknow SuperGiants.

SRH's bowling unit, led by Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami, has been inconsistent. While Cummins has shown glimpses of his capabilities, the lack of depth in the bowling attack has been evident. The team has struggled to capitalize on early breakthroughs, allowing opposition teams to recover and post competitive totals. Again, last night was case in point. GT was in trouble at 16 for 2. But SRH bowlers couldn't make headway in the middle-overs.

Field placements and bowling changes have also come under scrutiny, with critics pointing out missed opportunities to apply pressure on the opposition. Under the captaincy of Cummins, SRH has faced challenges in executing effective strategies. The team has been unable to adapt to different match situations, often sticking to rigid plans that fail under pressure.

SRH's season is at a critical juncture. With only one win in five matches, the team needs to address its batting inconsistencies, rethink its aggressive approach, and strengthen its bowling depth. Leadership and adaptability will be key as it looks to turn the campaign around. A couple of more losses could push them to a point of no return, making their next few matches crucial for survival.