The IPL 2016 champions SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) became a fan favourite team in the IPL 2024 for their consistently powerful batting performances that challenged many long-term IPL and T20 batting records. Unfortunately, they lost the IPL 2024 Final against Kolkata Knight Riders but remained their head high.

The SRH team is now dreaming of creating another history and completing their task in the 2025 season by lifting the trophy for the second time. They will start the tournament with their home afternoon match against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday (March 23). 

Top-Order Batters

• Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Atharva Taide

Everyone knows the importance of Travis Head. In the IPL 2024, Head was the leading run-scorer for the runners-up with 567 runs with a strike rate of 191.55, including one century and four half-centuries. Bowlers can’t remain confident without dismissing the Aussie batter.

Since his T20I debut last July, Abhishek Sharma, who was the second most run-scorer for SRH in IPL 2024 with 484 runs and a 200+ strike rate, has been the leading T20I run-scorer for India with 535 runs in 16 innings with a strike rate of 193.84, including two centuries and two half-centuries. After scoring a duck on his T20I debut, Sharma scored his first T20I century in his second innings. In his last T20I innings, which was against England in Mumbai last February, Sharma scored 135 off 54 balls. Although it isn’t ok to compare him with any T20I stats that start from January 1, 2024, Sharma still holds the record for most T20I sixes in this period among the ICC Full Members with 41 sixes. In the ongoing 2024-25 season, Sharma holds the record for most T20 sixes globally with 58 sixes, as he was also in great form in domestic cricket. While he had a 216.10 batting strike rate with one century and one half-century in seven innings of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, he also stormed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. 

The 24-year-old Atharva Taide previously served for the Punjab Kings, where he scored 247 runs in nine innings between 2023 and 2024, including two half-centuries. The young left-handed top-order batter can be a good option. 

See Also: IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Strongest Playing XI

Middle-Order Batters

• Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Wiaan Mulder

It is an important time for the 26-year-old Ishan Kishan, who is known as one of India’s future. He has scored 2644 runs in 105 IPL matches with an average of 28.43 and a strike rate of 135.86, including 16 half-centuries with his highest score of 99 runs. In the last three IPL seasons, Kishan scored 418, 454, and 320 runs, respectively. The left-handed batter, who is also a wicketkeeper, has to prove himself by developing consistency with the bat. 

South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen is one of the most dangerous batters in this generation. Since 2024, he has recorded the second most T20 sixes with 117 sixes, as the aggressive middle-order batter is very consistent and likes to deal with sixes. In the IPL 2024, SRH star Klaasen scored 479 runs in 15 innings with a strike rate of 171.07, including four half-centuries. 

The 21-year-old Indian cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy is a useful all-rounder with pace-bowling skills. In the IPL 2024, he was the fourth leading run-scorer for SRH with 303 runs. He later impressed the Indian Test team when they had a challenging tour in Australia for a five-match Test series.

South African cricketer Wiaan Mulder is a strong all-round name in the SRH squad, who is yet to make his IPL debut. Apart from scoring quick runs, the right-arm medium pacer is also useful for taking wickets, as he can be used as a sixth bowler.  

Spinner(s)

• Rahul Chahar/Adam Zampa

The 25-year-old leg-spinner Rahul Chahar can take the key spin bowling role for SRH, while he has a record for 75 wickets in 78 IPL matches. While he isn’t consistent enough in T20 cricket, the presence of Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa will surely pressurize Chahar. By adjusting the team with overseas numbers, skipper Cummins can use the experienced Zampa, who can take a strong role in the spin bowling option. 

Pacers

• Pat Cummins (Captain), Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel

Captain Pat Cummins is a special leader for SRH, as the Aussie cricketer leads the fast bowling attack and can also play a powerful cameo with the bat. In the IPL 2024, he was the second most wicket-taker for SRH as the skipper picked up 18 wickets.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has returned to the game strongly, and cricket fans are hoping for a great season from him in the IPL 2025. 

With 24 wickets, Harshal Patel won his second Purple Cap in the IPL 2024 season while serving for Punjab Kings. While Patel has a record of 135 wickets in 106 IPL matches, his presence makes the SRH team more lethal. 

SRH also have the experienced Indian left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat.