Is an RCB-style comeback the only way forward for SRH in IPL 2025?

Sunrisers Hyderabad, last season’s finalists, find themselves teetering on the brink of elimination in the IPL 2025 campaign. Currently languishing at eighth place on the points table, SRH have completed nine of their 14 group-stage matches, managing only three wins and suffering six losses.

After a demoralising loss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, their playoff aspirations seemed all but dashed. However, a crucial win over Chennai Super Kings on April 25 offered a glimmer of hope. With just five league matches remaining, SRH must now win every single one to keep their qualification hopes alive.

SRH’s journey this season has been marred by inconsistency. They started their campaign on a promising note, defeating Rajasthan Royals in their opener. But what followed was a string of disappointing results. They lost five of their next six games, with their only other win coming against highly-consistent Punjab Kings. The team have struggled against both top-tier sides like Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, as well as mid-table opponents such as Kolkata Knight Riders and MI.

Ironically, their recent win over CSK, currently bottom of the table, was enough to temporarily halt their downward spiral, but the path ahead remains steep.

Historically, 16 points have been considered the benchmark for IPL playoff qualification. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru made it to the final four with just 14 points last season, the 16-point mark held firm in both 2022 and 2023. For SRH to reach that total, they must win all five of their remaining fixtures, a near-impossible task given their erratic form.

The road ahead is anything but easy. Their next two matches are against GT and DC, two of the strongest sides in this year’s tournament. Should they emerge victorious, they will still have to face tough opposition in KKR, RCB, and Lucknow Super Giants.

While SRH’s chances appear bleak, they can draw inspiration from RCB’s dramatic comeback last season, where they won their final five games to book a playoff spot. If SRH are to achieve something similar, they will need not just form and discipline, but also a bit of magic.

This article first appeared on Mid Day