April 17, 2025: Ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) crucial clash with Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede, head coach Daniel Vettori reflected on the team’s success, emphasizing the pivotal role of openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head.
Vettori acknowledged that the team’s fortunes have been closely tied to the performances of the opening duo, stating, “Their opening partnership has been critical to our success. In the two games that we’ve won so far, they’ve been big contributors.”
The SRH head coach further pointed out that the early stages of the match, particularly the Powerplay, are vital for shaping the outcome. “The reality is that the Powerplay has a huge influence on the results of games, and when those two are able to dominate it like they have in our wins, it takes a huge part of that winning formula into account,” said Vettori.
Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head’s ability to put pressure on the bowlers has allowed the team to start strong, often setting the platform for a successful chase or competitive total. Vettori praised the pair’s consistency, noting how their contributions in the Powerplay have been instrumental in SRH’s victories. “Credit to them and the way they’ve played,” he added.
In addition to the opening pair, Vettori also highlighted the importance of Ishan Kishan, another SRH batsman who has been in excellent form. Kishan, who has had a long history with MI, having played for them from 2018 to 2024, will be a crucial figure in the upcoming match. Vettori noted that Kishan’s experience with the MI squad and his knowledge of Wankhede’s pitch conditions would be valuable to the SRH camp. “It would be foolish not to tap into some of his knowledge and understanding around the Mumbai mentality,” Vettori said, praising Kishan’s familiarity with the opposition.
Ishan’s fine form this season, including his recent century, further strengthens Vettori’s belief that Kishan will play a key role in the game. “He’s a fantastic player,” Vettori added. “We hope for a big game from him here, especially knowing that he’s familiar with the conditions.”
With SRH looking to build on their recent successes, Vettori’s strategic approach and confidence in his top-order batsmen will be crucial as they take on the Mumbai Indians at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.