Daniel Vettori Distances Himself from SRH’s Aggressive Approach After Playoff Exit in IPL 2025

In a surprising post-match admission, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori distanced himself from the team’s much-debated aggressive batting strategy that dominated headlines during the IPL 2025 season. Speaking after SRH’s washed-out clash against Delhi Capitals (DC), which confirmed their exit from playoff contention, Vettori clarified that he never fully endorsed the ultra-attacking approach adopted by the batters throughout the campaign.

“I definitely didn’t say after every match I was backing an aggressive approach,” Vettori asserted during the press conference. “We were always focused on assessing conditions. Unfortunately, this year the conditions didn’t suit our style.”

SRH opened their campaign in style, hammering a record 286/6 in their first match. However, that early promise fizzled out as inconsistent performances and an over-reliance on power hitting cost them crucial matches. The team currently sits eighth on the points table with just seven points from 11 games.

Tricky Surfaces Neutralised SRH’s Power-Hitters

Vettori acknowledged that unlike the high-scoring tracks of IPL 2024, the 2025 season offered trickier pitches, which stifled SRH’s free-flowing batters. “Last year, there were a number of 200-plus games. This year, most surfaces have been slower, offering seam movement early on. It hasn’t been easy for batters to just come in and swing,” he explained.

The SRH top-order, featuring Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan, struggled with consistency. Middle-order stalwart Heinrich Klaasen also failed to deliver frequently, despite being the most expensive retained player in the league’s history. Vettori admitted that while his batters are naturally aggressive, they faltered in adapting to varying match situations.

“Our guys are innately aggressive, but we stressed on reading conditions. Only two surfaces allowed scores over 250; the rest demanded caution and technique. Some wickets had sticky bounce, making shot-making difficult,” he elaborated.

Cummins Shines Despite Disappointment

Despite the season’s disappointing outcome, Vettori expressed pride in the team’s spirited performance against Delhi Capitals. SRH reduced DC to 29/5 with an inspired bowling effort led by skipper Pat Cummins before rain forced an abandonment. “That was our best bowling and fielding display of the tournament. It’s frustrating we couldn’t complete it, but that’s cricket,” Vettori remarked.

He heaped praise on Cummins for his leadership and versatility. “Pat’s been exceptional. He took the new ball today and showed why he’s one of the world’s best. He’s adapted brilliantly to different roles throughout the season,” the former New Zealand captain added.

SRH Aim to End Season on a High

SRH will conclude their season with a final home game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 10. While the playoffs are out of reach, the team hopes to end on a high and regain some pride after a roller-coaster campaign.

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