After finishing as runners-up in IPL 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) came into the 2025 season with high expectations. Some even touted them as potential champions. The campaign started with a bang—literally—as they posted 286 runs in their opening game, the highest total of the tournament. But what followed was a mid-season collapse that undid their promising start. Captain Pat Cummins later admitted that they “could not have played worse” during that slump.

SRH Worst Players in IPL 2025：When the Sun Didn’t Rise

Ultimately, SRH finished 6th on the points table with 13 points (6 wins, 7 losses, 1 no result)—just outside the playoff spots. Their aggressive batting strategy, while entertaining, proved brittle on tougher tracks. And several key players underperformed when the team needed them most. Here, we take a closer look at the SRH worst players in IPL 2025—those who didn’t live up to expectations and whose struggles played a part in Hyderabad’s slide from title contenders to playoff spectators.

1. Mohammed Shami – From Purple Cap Hopeful to Powerplay Liability

After an excellent 2024 campaign, Mohammed Shami was expected to lead SRH’s pace attack. Acquired for a hefty INR 10 crore, the investment seemed logical…on paper. But Shami’s 2025 season turned out to be a nightmare.

Mohammed Shami’s Bowling in IPL 2025

In 9 matches, he took just 6 wickets at an average of 56.2 and an economy rate of 11.23—his worst since 2012. More alarmingly, he failed to bowl his full quota in 6 of those games, showing how far his rhythm and control had fallen off. Once known for his powerplay dominance, Shami became a weak link in the bowling attack. Given the expectations and price tag, Shami clearly ranks among the SRH worst buys in IPL 2025, and arguably the most disappointing bowler of the season.

2. Ishan Kishan – One Century, Many Questions

Ishan Kishan lit up the tournament in SRH’s opening game with a blistering century, raising hopes that he’d be the consistent, aggressive opener the team needed. But his form dipped quickly and drastically. Across the season, he scored 354 runs at an average of 35.40, but most of those runs came in a handful of games.

Ishan Kishan’s Batting in IPL 2025

His strike rate slowed, and he often failed to convert starts or offer meaningful partnerships with the Travis Head–Abhishek Sharma duo. For a player of his explosive potential, Kishan’s lack of consistency turned him from a game-winner into what some fans called a “baggage.” Despite the early fireworks, his overall season lands him in the conversation of SRH worst players in IPL 2025, especially given the reliance placed on him at the top.

3. Nitish Kumar Reddy – Promise Fizzled Out

Nitish Kumar Reddy showed real promise in 2024, but unfortunately couldn’t replicate that success this year. In 13 matches, he managed only 182 runs at a strike rate of 118.95, with no half-centuries. His bowling was barely used, and his impact as an all-rounder faded into the background.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Batting in IPL 2025

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Bowling in IPL 2025

Reddy was expected to anchor the middle order and provide handy overs, but he lacked confidence and timing throughout the season. Injuries also disrupted his rhythm. In a lineup that heavily leaned on its openers, his inability to hold or accelerate the innings further exposed SRH’s lack of middle-order depth. Though still a developing player, his 2025 campaign places him among SRH’s underperformers, and a clear step backward in his growth curve.

4. Pat Cummins – A Leader Who Fell Short of Impact

As captain and spearhead, Pat Cummins had the dual role of leading by example and managing tactical decisions. With 16 wickets in 14 matches, his numbers seem solid at a glance. But his economy rate hovered above 8, and his effectiveness in key spells was often questioned especially in the crucial middle overs.

Pat Cummins’s Bowling in IPL 2025

On top of that, his captaincy came under scrutiny. Cummins’ rigid adherence to SRH’s ultra-aggressive batting strategy was criticized, particularly on slower tracks where a more adaptable approach was needed. His batting contributions were minimal and mostly situational. While not a complete failure, Cummins’ inability to adjust plans mid-tournament, along with his patchy bowling form, lands him among the SRH worst players in IPL 2025, at least in terms of overall influence versus expectations.

Final Thoughts

SRH’s 2025 campaign will go down as one of unfulfilled potential. They had the firepower, the momentum early on, and several players in form, but lacked consistency and adaptability. The performances of Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and even Pat Cummins fell short when it mattered most, making them among the SRH worst players in IPL 2025.

In particular, Shami’s high-price tag combined with poor form cements his place as one of the SRH worst buys in IPL 2025. For a team aiming for the title, these key dips in individual form turned out to be the difference between qualification and elimination. With a solid core still in place, SRH will no doubt come back stronger. But for now, 2025 will serve as a reminder that even the brightest squads need balance, adaptability, and consistency—not just star power to make a lasting impact.