Image Credits: Mufaddal Vohra/ App XSunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Pat Cummins received a rousing welcome from the crowd as he took the field for IPL 2025’s second match against Rajasthan Royals (RR). The Australian pace spearhead, returning for another season with the franchise, expressed confidence in his team’s ability and looked forward to maintaining last season’s dominant form.
Fans thrilled as SRH bat first
Although Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl, SRH fans were ecstatic about seeing their formidable batting unit take center stage. With explosive openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head at the top, followed by the experienced Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy, SRH boasts one of the most destructive lineups in the tournament. Adding to the excitement, Ishan Kishan and Abhinav Manohar were handed their debuts, further strengthening the batting order.
Cummins, unfazed by the decision to bat first, remained upbeat, stating, “It is great to be back. The core of the group is the same, the coaching staff is the same. Would be nice to keep last season’s form going. We always encourage our players to play with freedom.”
High expectations from SRH’s top order
The anticipation among fans is sky-high, especially with Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma expected to replicate their fireworks from last season. Head, who was one of the most destructive batters in IPL 2024, is known for his fearless stroke play, while Abhishek’s aggression at the top provides SRH with an ideal start.
With Nitish Reddy and the ever-reliable Klaasen in the middle order, SRH’s batting firepower is undeniable. The addition of Ishan Kishan adds further dynamism, and with Cummins leading from the front, the Sunrisers will be keen to set a mammoth total.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins(c), Simarjeet Singh, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami
RR banking on their bowlers
Riyan Parag, leading RR in Sanju Samson’s absence, has placed his faith in his bowlers on what appears to be a dry surface. The Royals will rely on their overseas stars—Maheesh Theekshana, Jofra Archer, and Fazalhaq Farooqi—to counter SRH’s batting might.
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Fazalhaq Farooqi
