Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2025 campaign has ended in disappointment, with the team bowing out of playoff contention after a rain-affected match against Delhi Capitals. In a candid post-match press conference, head coach Daniel Vettori offered a detailed explanation of the factors that derailed SRH’s season, highlighting tricky home conditions, inconsistency, and missed opportunities as the main culprits.
Hyderabad’s Home Advantage Turns Tricky
A major talking point for Vettori was the unexpected nature of the pitches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Unlike the previous season-where high-scoring games were common and SRH’s aggressive batting flourished-this year’s surfaces were far more bowler-friendly.
Only four out of 11 innings in Hyderabad crossed the 200-run mark, compared to seven out of 12 last year.
Most pitches favored fast bowlers, especially with the new ball, making stroke play difficult and disrupting SRH’s usual attacking approach.
“These surfaces have been a little bit different. It has been tricky, it has not been easy for the batters,” Vettori explained, emphasizing that the team’s strategy was always about assessing conditions, not just blind aggression.
Inconsistency Proves Costly
Despite a promising squad and high expectations after last year’s heroics, SRH struggled to string together complete performances. Vettori admitted that inconsistency was a recurring issue:
SRH managed only three wins in 11 matches, with several games slipping away due to batting collapses or lackluster execution with the ball.
“We came in with high hopes, but we have not been consistent enough with our performances. We’ve spoken about not being able to put together a complete game, and today was shaping up to be one. It’s frustrating we couldn’t finish it, but that’s the nature of cricket,” Vettori said after the rain-ruined match against Delhi.
Missed Opportunities and Unlucky Moments
The rain-abandoned match against Delhi Capitals was a microcosm of SRH’s season. After restricting DC to a below-par 133/7, SRH looked set for a crucial win before the weather intervened, ending their playoff hopes.
Vettori lamented the timing, noting that the team had finally started putting together a complete performance.
Key players like Pat Cummins showed flashes of brilliance, but the team struggled to maintain momentum throughout the season.
Looking Ahead: Lessons and Rebuilding
With playoff hopes dashed, Vettori acknowledged the need for reflection and rebuilding. SRH will use their remaining matches to test bench strength and start planning for a more balanced, adaptable squad in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What did Daniel Vettori identify as the main reason for SRH’s poor season?
Vettori pointed to tricky and unpredictable home pitches, which made batting difficult and disrupted the team’s aggressive style.
Q2: Was inconsistency a problem for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025?
Yes, Vettori admitted the team struggled to put together complete performances, leading to only three wins in 11 matches.
Q3: How did weather affect SRH’s playoff chances?
A rain-abandoned match against Delhi Capitals cost SRH a likely win and ended their playoff hopes.
Q4: What’s next for SRH after this disappointing season?
The team will focus on salvaging pride in the remaining games and begin planning for a stronger, more consistent campaign next year.
Q5: Did SRH change their approach from last season?
Vettori clarified that the team’s approach was always about assessing conditions, not just aggression, but this year’s surfaces demanded more adaptability.
Conclusion
Daniel Vettori’s honest assessment of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2025 campaign reveals how quickly fortunes can change in T20 cricket. Tricky home pitches, inconsistent execution, and untimely rain combined to derail a team that once looked poised for another deep playoff run. As SRH look to the future, the lessons from this season will be vital in rebuilding a side capable of adapting and thriving, no matter the conditions.