In the wake of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s five-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the ongoing IPL 2025, former England captain Michael Vaughan didn’t hold back as the SRH approach criticised headlines began making waves. Pat Cummins’ squad, known for their ultra-aggressive batting style, failed to execute effectively, posting only 190/9 in their 20 overs—an underwhelming total considering their firepower.
SRH Approach Criticised After Sudden Batting Collapse
After smashing a record-breaking 286 in their opening clash against Rajasthan Royals, expectations were sky-high from SRH. However, their failure to adapt to conditions and over-reliance on power-hitting has led to the SRH approach criticised by several pundits. Vaughan pointed out that while the high-risk batting paid off once, it may not always yield consistent results, especially when facing a balanced bowling unit like LSG’s.
SRH Bowlers Struggle Amid High-Scoring Pressure
While much attention was on SRH’s batting, Vaughan also stressed how the team’s bowling attack is under severe pressure due to the lack of support from their batting unit and unhelpful pitches.
“Zampa’s been destroyed, really, tonight. Shami’s gone at 12 today,” he noted.
The SRH approach criticised wasn’t limited to just batting; Vaughan underlined that constantly bowling on flat tracks like Hyderabad’s could demoralise bowlers and shake their confidence.
Vaughan Warns of One-Dimensional Strategy
Michael Vaughan emphasised that the SRH approach criticised is largely due to their rigid game plan.
“I’m yet to see a team win a tournament by playing just one style of cricket,” he said.
He urged SRH to be more flexible and play “smart cricket” when needed, rather than going all guns blazing every time. According to him, the lack of a Plan B was evident in their loss to LSG, where aggressive shots led to avoidable dismissals.
Impact of SRH’s Batting Philosophy
The SRH approach criticised narrative gained traction after their batting collapse, despite being filled with big names. Vaughan highlighted that teams need to “go up and down the gears,” suggesting that SRH’s commitment to an all-out attack could cost them important games in IPL 2025. While aggression is essential in T20 cricket, smart shot selection and situational awareness remain key—qualities that SRH lacked in their recent performance.
SRH Bowlers Left Exposed on Flat Tracks
The SRH approach criticised angle also pointed towards how the team’s bowling unit—despite boasting stars like Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, and Mohammed Shami—has been let down by their aggressive batting and poor pitch planning.
“Their bowlers are bowling on this road,” Vaughan remarked, alluding to Hyderabad’s flat deck.
With bowlers going for massive runs, SRH’s strategy at home could turn into a liability if not addressed soon.
Time for SRH to Rethink Their Strategy?
With the SRH approach criticised from experts and their campaign already seeing highs and lows, Pat Cummins and the team management may need to rethink their rigid style. A more flexible batting order, coupled with smarter use of bowlers and pitch conditions, could help balance their overall game plan.
As Vaughan put it,
“If they played a little bit smarter, would they have got 220, 230? Probably.”
Next Challenge for Sunrisers Hyderabad
After this sobering defeat, the SRH approach criticised saga continues as the team looks to bounce back in their third match of IPL 2025 against Delhi Capitals on March 30 at the ACA VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam. It remains to be seen whether SRH will continue with their aggressive intent or take a more balanced route to ensure consistency and longevity in the tournament.
In a tournament where momentum is key, SRH have the firepower—but if the SRH approach criticised analysis proves anything, it’s that power needs precision. A course correction might just be what they need to re-establish themselves as serious contenders.
