Harsh Dubey Replaces Injured R Smaran in SRH Squad for IPL 2025

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) made a late-season change to their squad by signing Vidarbha’s left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey as a replacement for the injured R Smaran. The 22-year-old allrounder joins the team for INR 30 lakh, his base price from the last IPL auction, as SRH attempt to finish their disappointing campaign on a positive note.

Dubey Breaks Ranji Trophy Record

Harsh Dubey earned his call-up to the IPL after a historic Ranji Trophy season. Playing for Vidarbha, he claimed 69 wickets during the 2024–25 edition, setting a new record for the most wickets in a single Ranji season. He surpassed the previous mark of 68 wickets set by Ashutosh Aman in 2018–19. Dubey’s performances helped power Vidarbha to the title, and his consistency drew attention from franchises despite not being picked in the initial auction.

SRH Turn to Young Talent Amid Injuries

R Smaran, who had earlier replaced Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa in the SRH squad, sustained an injury that ruled him out of the rest of the tournament. In response, SRH turned to Dubey to strengthen their spin options. While Dubey has dominated red-ball cricket, his white-ball numbers are modest: 21 wickets in 20 List A innings at an average of 34.66 and nine wickets in 16 T20 innings with an economy rate of 6.78.

Despite those numbers, SRH management appears confident that Dubey’s recent form and versatility can add value in the final leg of their IPL campaign.

Playoff Chances Slim as SRH Struggles Continue

After reaching the IPL final in 2024, SRH’s 2025 campaign has fallen flat. With only three wins from ten matches, they currently sit ninth on the points table. Even if they win their remaining four games, they can only finish with 14 points—leaving them reliant on a dramatic slide from multiple top teams.

Adding to their woes, SRH holds the lowest net run-rate (-1.192) among all teams, including already-eliminated Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The team needs a string of convincing wins and favorable results elsewhere to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Harsh Dubey will be eligible for selection in SRH’s upcoming match against Delhi Capitals, scheduled for Monday evening in Hyderabad. His inclusion brings a fresh dimension to the squad, and fans will watch closely to see if the Ranji star can make an immediate impact.

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