For Sunrisers Hyderabad, it is no longer about going hard or going home. The 2024 finalists, who redefined batting in the Indian Premier League, are no longer a side that simply goes bang or bust. After beating Punjab Kings on May 6 to go top of the table, SRH appear to have found their sweet spot, consistently putting up high totals this season.
After their all out attacking approach backfired in 2025 and led to a finish outside the playoff spots, the think tank recalibrated. They have now found a more sustainable path while still retaining their core philosophy.
SRH vs PBKS: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Out of their 11 matches this season, SRH have fallen short of the 200 run mark only three times. The Pat Cummins led side always had immense batting firepower, but it is their consistency that has made them particularly dangerous this year. They also seem to be improving with each game following Cummins’ return, a trend that bodes well heading into the playoffs.
SEPARATING OPENERS FROM THE REST
A key factor behind SRH’s success has been the measured approach of the middle order, which has been tasked with assessing conditions and setting realistic targets during the middle overs. This allows openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head to continue their ultra aggressive approach, while players like Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan adapt to the demands of the surface and match situation.
This marks a shift from the previous two seasons, when SRH attacked relentlessly from start to finish. While that approach caught teams off guard in 2024, opponents adjusted in 2025 and exposed a significant flaw in their method.
Cummins acknowledged this evolution after the win over Punjab, explaining how the team has clearly defined roles within the batting unit.
“We’re pretty good at playing at our own pace. We don’t try and start off conservatively. It’s not really Abhi and Travis’ style. It’s about trying to maximise as much as we can,” Cummins said.
The SRH captain added that the team does not enter games with a fixed target in mind, instead adjusting as the innings unfolds.
“Not really thinking about a total or anything, and then maybe later in the innings if it takes a different direction, we’ve been pretty good at adjusting,” he said.
KLAASEN TURNS UP FOR SRH
Much of this success has been driven by Klaasen at No. 4, who has stepped up with 494 runs from 11 matches. Interestingly, he has slightly tempered his approach, striking at 157, marginally lower than his usual standards.
SRH have also benefited from consistent contributions from Abhishek and Kishan, who currently sit second and fourth on the run scorers list this season. Abhishek has scored 475 runs at a strike rate of 210, while Kishan has 409 at 186, reflecting the subtle shift in the team’s batting approach.
Their bowling unit has also held up well, with uncapped players delivering crucial performances throughout the season. The side has looked more balanced since moving away from including Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat in the starting lineup, helping them build a strong run of results.
“We’ve played some really good cricket here in Hyderabad over the last couple of years. It suits our style. Even tonight it gripped a little bit, which suits a lot of our bowlers towards the end,” Cummins said.
With the win over Punjab, SRH now have 14 points from 11 matches and are within touching distance of a playoff spot. They have three group stage matches remaining, against Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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