Mon May 05 14:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Inconsistent Season Highlights Need for Shahbaz Ahmed-like Player
**Hyderabad, India** – The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) endured a disappointing IPL 2025 season, failing to reach the playoffs despite a star-studded lineup. A key factor in their struggles was the inability to replicate the all-around contributions of Shahbaz Ahmed, whose valuable role last season went largely unnoticed amidst other high-profile players.
Ahmed’s 215 runs and 7 wickets in 2024 provided crucial stability, bridging the gap between batting and bowling. This season, SRH constantly shuffled their fourth overseas player slot, experimenting with Adam Zampa and Wiaan Mulder without success. Kamindu Mendis, while showing some promise, ultimately failed to fill Ahmed’s void.
Further compounding their problems was the inconsistent performance of their seamers. Mohammed Shami had a poor season, while skipper Pat Cummins and Harshal Patel displayed fluctuating form. The team’s struggles were exacerbated by a lack of impact from substitute players, a recurring theme throughout the tournament. While some substitutions were tactically driven, others were reactive to batting collapses, highlighting the team’s instability.
The management’s attempts to address the issues through frequent changes to the playing XI proved ineffective, unlike last season when they managed to win games despite similar levels of substitution. This season, however, the constant chopping and changing prevented the team from finding a consistent balance. The leadership change from Markram and Lara to Cummins and Vettori, while bringing initial stability, couldn’t rectify the underlying issues.
The absence of a dependable all-rounder, similar to Shahbaz Ahmed, coupled with inconsistent bowling and ineffective impact substitutions, ultimately cost SRH a place in the playoffs. Their struggles serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of team balance and the often-unsung contribution of versatile players.
First Piper 