Sunrisers Hyderabad's Bowling Struggles Impact IPL 2025 Season

Bowling Woes for Sunrisers Hyderabad

The IPL 2025 campaign for Sunrisers Hyderabad has taken a downturn, primarily due to ineffective bowling and challenging pitch conditions, as highlighted by pacer Jaydev Unadkat.

After suffering a 38-run defeat against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, Unadkat acknowledged that the collective performance of the bowlers has been subpar, significantly affecting the team's ability to secure victories.

Need for Bowling Partnerships

“In my years of IPL experience, a successful team requires contributions from at least three or four bowlers in every match. Unfortunately, this year, we seem to be lacking in that area,” Unadkat remarked

He further emphasized that just like batting, bowling also relies on partnerships. When only a couple of bowlers perform well while others falter, it places excessive pressure on the entire team.

Struggles of Key Bowlers

“In order to win matches and support your team, you must perform at your best, and we have not achieved that. I can't pinpoint any lack of effort in terms of practice, training, or strategy,” he added.

Prominent bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami have faced difficulties in finding their rhythm this season. None of the main bowlers for SRH have managed to maintain an economy rate below 8, complicating their ability to defend totals.

Challenging Pitch Conditions 'Pitches Not the Same This Year'

Unadkat also noted that the aggressive style of play that worked for SRH in IPL 2024 is harder to replicate this season due to the pitch conditions and enhanced strategies from opposing teams.

“Last year, we consistently scored over 200 runs in several matches, which set a benchmark for us. However, that cannot always be expected. Other teams are now better prepared, and bowlers are evolving their tactics,” he explained.

He pointed out that the flatter pitches in 2024 favored SRH's batting lineup, while this year's surfaces have proven to be more demanding, necessitating smarter bowling strategies.

The Importance of Bowling Performance

“Last year, swing bowling was effective, but this year, it’s crucial to utilize variations. The pitches are significantly influencing the game. We had many flat pitches last year, but this season has presented us with tougher conditions, which is why we haven't maintained our momentum,” he stated.

Unadkat concluded by stressing that regardless of the batting performance, the bowlers must elevate their game.

“I believe the average scores in recent matches have increased. Last year, we had a particularly strong batting lineup that contributed to those high scores. Ultimately, winning is more important than merely achieving high totals. Even if we score 200 runs, it is the bowlers' duty to defend that score, which is what truly counts,” he remarked.

SRH's next challenge will be against Delhi Capitals on Monday, May 5, in a match that could be crucial for their season.