SRH head coach backs power-hitters but calls for smarter assessment of conditions and collective improvement across batting, bowling, and fielding
Hyderabad, April 7: After Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) suffered their fourth straight defeat in IPL 2025, head coach Daniel Vettori defended his team’s aggressive approach but stressed the need for better adaptability to pitch conditions and smarter reading of opposition tactics.
Sunrisers collapsed for 152/8 against Gujarat Titans on a slow Hyderabad track and watched as the visitors chased down the target in just 16.4 overs, sealing a commanding seven-wicket win.
“We know our aggressive style can work, but we’ve got to respect the conditions and the fact that teams are doing a lot of planning against our top order,” Vettori said post-match.
🔹 “Wicket Was Tough, We Misjudged It”
Vettori admitted that Sunday’s pitch wasn’t a typical Hyderabad surface. The slowness of the pitch and early movement made run-scoring tricky, demanding a more measured approach.
“160-170 was the target we anticipated. We needed just 20 more to challenge them properly,” he said. “Their understanding of the conditions was spot on. Ours wasn’t.”
🔹 Not Just Batting—All Three Departments Underperforming
While SRH’s explosive top order has failed to click since their opening win (where they posted a record 286/6), Vettori stressed that the struggles go beyond just the batters.
“We haven’t been near our best across all three departments—batting, bowling, and especially fielding. Fielding has been poor, and that’s often the barometer of a team’s confidence,” he admitted.
Despite the recent form, Vettori is not hitting the panic button yet.
“I don’t think Pat [Cummins] has ever panicked in his life—and I’m similar. But we know the implications of losing four in a row. It makes the season tougher, and we must bounce back fast.”
🔹 Faith in the Group Remains
Vettori believes that SRH can still turn things around and return to winning ways, especially with the tournament offering quick turnarounds and frequent opportunities to regain momentum.
“The good thing about IPL is the short gaps between games. If we can string together strong individual and collective performances, the narrative can change quickly,” he said.
🟠 SRH’s IPL 2025 So Far:
- Wins: 1
- Losses: 4
- Points Table: Near the bottom
- Next Match: vs Punjab Kings
As the Punjab Kings await next, Vettori and SRH will hope to rediscover the attacking flair and consistency that made them finalists last season—but with a smarter, more tactical edge this time.