IPL 2025 | The Hyderabad conditions weren’t as we expected: SRH head coach Vettori

Vettori.
| Photo Credit: KVS GIRI

Now eliminated from the race to the playoffs in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League, Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori cited tough conditions as one of the team’s biggest challenges thus far.

“I definitely didn’t say after every match I was backing an aggressive approach. I said we’re about assessing conditions. This year, the conditions weren’t as we expected. Last year, there were a lot of high-scoring games here,” Vettori noted after the washout against Delhi Capitals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Monday.

“All we’ve talked about is assessing conditions, trying to read the game and understanding what to do in certain situations. I think the guys are innately aggressive, but certainly, this season has been about trying to establish what’s been required on the day.”

While teams crossed the 200-run mark seven times (in 12 innings) in Hyderabad last year, it has happened only four times (from 11 innings) this season. Vettori believed that the conditions being more bowler-friendly were among the reasons for that.

“It hasn’t been easy for the batters. There have been two surfaces that have (given) 250-plus runs, and there have been four that have probably been more conducive for the fast bowlers. Not so much the spinners, but the new ball has been a little bit sticky, hard to hit, not coming onto the bat. The IPL has some of the best new-ball bowlers in the world, and they were able to exploit those conditions,” he remarked.