By Why SRH Struggled Against KKR: A Look at Their Batting Collapse
SRH vs KKR 2025 match at The Eden Gardens turned into a battleground of woes for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where they suffered a crushing 80-run defeat. While defeats are part and parcel of cricket, the manner in which SRH collapsed raised serious concerns about the team’s strategy, composure, and balance — particularly their approach to batting under pressure.
In what was billed as a high-stakes contest, SRH faltered spectacularly, unraveling under the weight of KKR’s disciplined bowling and their own misfiring top order. The heavy loss has not only impacted their net run rate but also exposed some glaring weaknesses that demand immediate attention.
Over-Reliance on Aggression: A Double-Edged Sword
Sunrisers Hyderabad came into IPL 2025 with an explosive batting lineup and a fearless mindset. Their intent to dominate bowlers was evident in their season opener where they smashed a record 286/6 — the highest total in IPL history. That performance turned heads, and expectations soared.
However, this aggressive strategy has proved unsustainable in the matches that followed. Against KKR, the same gung-ho approach led to their downfall. With no fallback plan, the batters tried to force the pace from the outset, leading to a flurry of early wickets. The lack of adaptability and the absence of an anchoring batsman became painfully clear. Aggression, while thrilling, needs balance — something SRH currently seems to lack.
Kavya Maran RN 😮💨 #KKRvsSRH pic.twitter.com/uML47MrhLr
— कृष्णा 🥀 (@iiamkrshn) April 3, 2025
Only Facts #KKRvSRH pic.twitter.com/cxv7YnUTdW
— Byomkesh (@byomkesbakshy) April 3, 2025
Top-Order Vulnerabilities Continue to Haunt
One of the most critical problems plaguing SRH is the vulnerability of their top order. In the game against KKR, this weakness was on full display. The dismissals of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Rahul Tripathi within the first three overs left the team gasping at 9 for 3 — a scenario from which recovery was always going to be an uphill task.
This top-order fragility has been a recurring theme for SRH throughout the season. Despite having explosive players, the lack of consistency and temperament under pressure has led to repeated collapses. The team desperately needs its top three to spend more time at the crease and lay a solid foundation for the rest of the batting lineup.
KKR’s Tactical Brilliance with the Ball
Credit must be given where it’s due — KKR’s bowlers came in with a clear plan and executed it flawlessly. Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana were exceptional with the new ball, mixing lengths smartly and using the conditions to their advantage. Arora’s ability to swing the ball at pace troubled the left-handed openers, while Rana maintained a tight line and consistently tested the batters outside off-stump.
KKR’s spinners also played their part well, applying the brakes in the middle overs and not allowing any easy boundaries. The well-coordinated effort meant SRH never got the momentum they were looking for.
Bowling Woes Add to SRH’s Misery
While batting was clearly SRH’s undoing, their bowling unit also failed to step up. The bowlers allowed KKR to post a mammoth 228, with 78 runs coming in the final five overs — an area where SRH has struggled in multiple games this season. Their inability to execute yorkers and contain big hitters at the death remains a persistent problem.
Lack of variety and inexperience in handling pressure situations have resulted in leaking runs during crunch moments. Without tightening their bowling in the death overs, SRH will find it difficult to close out games or defend totals.
The Road Ahead: Time for Recalibration
This defeat is a wake-up call for SRH. Their all-out aggressive template has its moments, but in the marathon of a tournament like the IPL, flexibility is key. The team needs to rethink its approach — develop contingency plans, introduce more depth in both batting and bowling, and promote players who can adapt to different match scenarios.
Moreover, leadership and tactical decisions need sharper execution. Whether it’s reordering the batting lineup or adjusting bowling strategies based on match situations, SRH must evolve quickly to stay competitive in this tightly contested season.
Conclusion
The loss against KKR is more than just a blip — it’s a reflection of systemic issues that SRH must address immediately. To remain in playoff contention, the team must focus on building partnerships, executing bowling plans more effectively, and, above all, developing a more balanced and adaptable approach to the game.
Follow us on:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@cricbolofficial?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cricbolofficial/
Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/cricbol
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuzzillaOfficial/
