While Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will undoubtedly bask in the spotlight, thanks to the presence of Pat Cummins, explosive Travis Head and T20 dynamo Heinrich Klaasen, their fate in the IPL 2025 will depend on much more than just their star trio.
Despite stellar performances from all three in the last season, SRH fell short in both the first qualifier and the final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Their chances of lifting a second IPL trophy hinge on the contributions of emerging Indian talents and underrated overseas players — those who can step up in crucial moments.
Here’s a look at five players who can make the difference for SRH in the IPL 2025….
1. Abhishek Sharma: The Next Big Thing?
Abhishek Sharma had already shown flashes of brilliance in previous seasons but the IPL 2024 was his true breakout. The dynamic left-handed opener smashed 484 runs at a staggering strike rate of 204.21, setting the tone for SRH’s high-scoring powerplays. His all-round ability earned him a place in the Indian T20I squad, where he has quickly become a fixture.
However, the IPL 2025 presents a new challenge — consistency. Many young IPL stars have struggled to maintain their form after a breakout season and Abhishek Sharma will be eager to avoid that fate. SRH will hope he converts his aggressive starts into match-winning centuries, just as he has done for India. His development as an all-rounder, especially with the ball, will be another key aspect to watch.
2. Ishan Kishan: The Redemption Arc
Once a rising star in Indian cricket, Ishan Kishan finds himself at a crossroads. After losing his central contract alongside Shreyas Iyer, he has struggled to stay in the limelight, prompting the former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra to remark that he had “disappeared from public memory”.
Now, SRH has placed a ₹11 crore bet on him, giving him a fresh start. Ishan Kishan is expected to be a direct replacement for Aiden Markram, who had an underwhelming season in 2024. His explosive batting could provide the X-factor but the big question remains — will a new team environment help him rediscover his best form? With three left-handers at the top of the order, SRH will also have to be tactically sharp in their team combinations.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy: From Emerging Player to Team Anchor
Nitish Kumar Reddy made waves in the IPL 2024, winning the Emerging Player of the Year award for his all-round performances as a middle-order batter and a part-time pacer. His performances earned him a place in the Indian squad and the IPL 2025 presents the perfect opportunity for him to establish himself as a key player.
With a more defined role at No. 4 or 5, Nitish Kumar Reddy is expected to take on greater responsibility with both bat and ball. However, with opposition teams now aware of his strengths and weaknesses, he will need to evolve his game further. His recent fitness issues are another concern but if he can overcome them, some fans might even start seeing him as a future SRH captain.
4. Mohammed Shami: The Season-Defining Signing?
In their search for an experienced pacer to support the skipper Pat Cummins, SRH struck gold by securing Mohammed Shami. Despite concerns over his fitness following a long injury layoff, Shami remains one of the most lethal pacers in the IPL.
His ability to control length and extract movement has made him invaluable in past seasons. While he missed the IPL 2024, his performances in 2022 (20 wickets at 24.40) and 2023 (28 wickets at 18.64) were crucial for Gujarat Titans. Without him, GT slumped to an eighth-place finish. If Shami can replicate that form for SRH, his partnership with Pat Cummins could be one of the most formidable in the tournament.
5. Adam Zampa: A Make-or-Break Season
Despite his success on the international stage, Adam Zampa is yet to leave a significant mark in the IPL. Overseas spinners often struggle to secure a spot in the playing XI unless they offer Rashid Khan-level impact but SRH’s lack of spin options may finally give Adam Zampa his moment to shine.
With Rahul Chahar struggling for form, Adam Zampa is likely to play a crucial role in Pat Cummins’ plans. He has been a match-winner for Australia and if he can replicate that success in the IPL, he may prove to be a much-needed spin weapon. His performances against top spin-hitters will be particularly intriguing to watch.
While Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen will be SRH’s headline acts, their title ambitions will ultimately rest on these five players delivering under pressure. If they rise to the occasion, the Hyderabad franchise would very well be lifting their second IPL trophy by the end of the season.
