As Sunrisers Hyderabad prepare to face Rajasthan Royals in the second match of IPL 2025, all focus shifts to the playing surface at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Known for producing high-scoring thrillers, the pitch has once again drawn attention for its batting-friendly nature — but could there be a twist?
According to pitchside experts Mpumelelo Mbangwa and Michael Clarke, the conditions are tailor-made for stroke play. With short square boundaries (63m and 70m) and a straight boundary of 76m, the dimensions heavily favour the batters. The average score on this particular surface is an eye-popping 216, significantly higher than the ground’s usual average of 205.
“This is an absolute belter,” Clarke said during the pitch report. “You’ve got to look at a score well over 200 if you’re batting first.” He added that while both ends of the pitch appear slightly drier than the middle, and there’s a touch more grass in the center, it’s unlikely to impact stroke-making. “In a 20-over match, it’s very hard for the pitch to deteriorate.”
There is a small possibility of grip and spin assisting bowlers in the second innings, especially with change-ups or slower deliveries. However, even that might not be enough to tilt the balance away from the batters unless teams execute their plans to perfection.
With explosive hitters on both sides, the question now lingers — will the batters dominate as expected, or will crafty bowlers find a way to surprise everyone under the Hyderabad sun?
Disclaimer: Match conditions and outcomes may vary. Predictions and analysis are based on pre-match pitch assessments and expert observations.
