Hyderabad, May 5, 2025 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) suffered a major setback ahead of their critical IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, with key all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy ruled out due to a stomach ailment. The franchise also dropped out-of-form pacer Mohammed Shami and all-rounder Kamindu Mendis, bringing in Sachin Baby, Abhinav Manohar, and Eshan Malinga. With only six points from 10 matches, SRH’s playoff hopes hinge on winning all remaining games, making this shake-up a high-stakes gamble.

Nitish, who scored a century in the Melbourne Test, was a vital cog in SRH’s lineup, but his absence leaves a gap in the middle order and field. “Nitish is unwell and won’t play today,” SRH announced on X, sparking concern among fans. Shami’s exclusion, attributed to inconsistent performances, and Mendis’ omission reflect SRH’s urgency to arrest their slide. Captain Pat Cummins, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, struck early, dismissing Karun Nair and Faf du Plessis to leave Delhi reeling at 23/3 in the powerplay. “We’re backing our new faces to deliver,” Cummins said, signaling faith in the revamped squad.

SRH’s playoff path is precarious. Four wins could yield 14 points, but their net run rate of -1.361 complicates qualification, especially with teams like Royal Challengers Bengaluru (16 points) setting a high bar. A loss today could end their campaign, mirroring their struggles since finishing runners-up in 2024. Fans remain hopeful, with local supporter Anil Reddy saying, “Sachin and Abhinav can surprise us.” As SRH fight to keep their season alive, the spotlight is on their ability to adapt under pressure against a Delhi side desperate to solidify their own playoff chances.