Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], April 7: Despite a fourth consecutive defeat in IPL 2025, Sunrisers Hyderaba head coach Daniel Vettori is standing by his power-packed top-order, while urging them to better assess pitch conditions and acknowledge the strategic planning of opposition bowlers.
Following their latest loss to the Gujarat Titans, where SRH posted a below-par 152/8 and were outclassed in just 16.4 overs, Vettori stressed the need for smarter adaptation. “We know the style is going to work, but we have to respect conditions,” Vettori said in the post-match press conference. “Also, we have to respect how well other teams are bowling, putting a lot of planning into our top three.”
The slow Hyderabad pitch proved difficult for stroke-making, and Vettori admitted it wasn’t the kind of surface SRH usually thrive on. He revealed that a target of 160–170 had been anticipated and would have been competitive. “We needed 20 more runs to put the pressure on,” he said, adding that Gujarat’s execution of the chase was “spot on.”
SRH made headlines with a blazing 286/6 against Rajasthan Royals in their opener, but since then, their batting has faltered. Still, Vettori insists that there’s no panic in the dressing room, especially with calm figures like captain Pat Cummins at the helm. “I don’t think Pat has ever panicked in his life,” Vettori quipped. “But we do understand the ramifications of losing four in a row.”
He added that the team’s performance across all three departments—batting, bowling, and fielding—has fallen short. “The barometer of most teams is how their fielding’s going, and we’ve been pretty poor,” Vettori admitted. “That’s something we’ll work on before the next match against Punjab.”
While critics have zeroed in on SRH’s underwhelming top order, Vettori believes the issue is broader. “We haven’t clicked in a game yet. Last year, we put up big scores and then held on with the ball. This year, it’s been a mix of things. But the good thing about the IPL is the quick turnarounds. There’s always another opportunity,” he said.
Despite the losing streak, the coach remains optimistic. “There’s still confidence within the batting group. But now, it’s time for the collective to step up.”