Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have failed to recreate the magic of the last season, when they finished runners-up to Kolkata Knight Riders, and are on the brink in the current edition of the Indian Premier League.
The 2016 champions had set the template for T20 batting with the devil-may-care attitude of their openers — Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma — last season and raised expectations with a similarly exhilarating show in the season-opener against Rajasthan Royals.

But SRH have been on a steady downward spiral ever since and with six points from 10 matches, they are in a situation where a win in all four of their remaining matches also does not guarantee them a place in the playoffs because a lot will depend on how the other teams fare in the league. STOI decodes what has been a summer of discontent for SRH.
STARTING PROBLEM
The Hyderabad outfit has relied heavily on their openers from the time of Adam Gilchrist to Shikhar Dhawan. David Warner kept the tradition going with Jonny Bairstow (2019-21).
In 2016, when they won the title, their openers had produced 731 runs in 17 matches. So, a major reason for SRH faring poorly this season has been the blow-hot, blow-cold performances of Head and Abhishek.
Where the duo produced 691 runs in tandem last season, this year has been a case of firing in fits and starts.
Take away the match against Punjab Kings at home when they added 171, their indifferent form has had a telling effect.
The Powerplays have left a lot to be desired and poor starts stopped the team from gaining momentum.
376: Runs in partnership between Head and Abhishek in 10 matches this season.
Opening stands this season:
45 vs RR (Hyd); 15 vs LSG (Hyd); 11 vs DC (Vizag); 4 vs KKR (Kol); 9 vs GT (Hyd); 171 vs PBKS (Hyd); 59 vs MI (Mum); 13 vs MI (Hyd); 0 vs CSK (Chennai); 49 vs GT (Ahm)
· Abhishek Sharma – 314 runs @ 31.40; 100-1, 50s-1
· Travis Head – 281 runs @28.10; 50s-2
2024 Records of SRH
· Highest team total: 287/3 vs RCB
· Highest powerplay score: 125
· Most 6s: 178
· Most 6s by an Indian in a season: Abhishek Sharma (42)
· Fastest team 100: vs DC
· Highest total in 10 overs: 167* vs LSG
MIDDLE ORDER MUDDLE
Poor starts had a cascading effect on the middle. Like in the match against Mumbai Indians, the Powerplay score of 24 for four put enormous pressure on Heinrich Klaasen and Abhinav Manohar.
It was Catch-22 as known ball strikers were forced to revive the innings. Ishan Kishan started with a century but soon fizzled out. His ‘walk’ when not out against Mumbai did not help.
Nitish Kumar Reddy (173) belied expectations. If it was top order success denying opportunities to the middle order last season, inept show in the middle resulted in a string of below-par scores and inability to finish matches this season.
Compared to six scores above 200 last season, SRH crossed 200 twice this season. Aniket Verma and Abhinav Manohar showed what they’re capable of, but posting big scores is all about partnerships and SRH did not have many. Abhishek leads the batting charts for SRH with 314 runs.
POOR DIVIDENDS
Ishan Kishan: 196 runs @24.50
Heinrich Klaasen: 311 runs @ 34.55
Aniket Verma: 193 runs @24.12
K Nitish Kumar Reddy: 173 runs @24.71
FIRING BLANKS
This season, SRH bowlers managed to dismiss a rival team only once. That also tells a lot about their trouble in containing opposition. The lack of a bowling standout and the absence of a settled bowling combination added to their misery. Mohammed Shami was inconsistent.
The way Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans creamed Shami for five fours in an over in Ahmedabad was a case of dishing out too many bad balls.
Adam Zampa was out injured. Harshal Patel (13 wkts) and Zeeshan Ansari bowled well within themselves, leaving skipper Pat Cummins with a lot on his plate. Shami went for 11.23 an over and Cummins 9.64.
For a team to do well, at least three to four bowlers need to contribute to every game. This season, it never so happened that one SRH bowler created pressure and the rest maintained it.
Swing was an important tool last year, but this year was about clever variations and the SRH attack was found wanting. It must be said, though, that unlike last season, where there were a lot of flat pitches, this year, the pitches have been difficult.
BAD ECONOMY
Harshal Patel: 13 wickets @9.50
Pat Cummins: 10 @9.64
Mohd Shami: 6 @11.23
Zeeshan Ansari: 6 @9.74
HOME COMFORTS
One of the reasons for SRH’s success last year was their string of home wins. They won five out of seven matches, lost one and one was a washout. This year they have won two — against Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings — lost three — vs Lucknow Super Giants, Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, with two to go.
The comprehensive defeats by five, seven and seven wickets respectively at home is indicative of a team low on confidence caused by their inability to execute plans.