Prior to the 2025 Indian Premier League, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has pointed to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s lower middle order as a possible vulnerability. He noted that it could be difficult for the team to rely on two Indian hitters who aren’t very experienced at No. 6 and No. 7.
Before the mega-auction, SRH, the runners-up in the 2024 Indian Premier League, kept important top-order players such skipper Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. They were unable to bolster their middle order at the auction, though, which could have left a hole in their batting depth.
The former India opener Aakash Chopra brought attention to this worry in a video posted on his YouTube channel, implying that the team’s lower middle order would be put to the test throughout the season under pressure.
“The top five may find themselves in trouble if, after moving passed the top five, they are somehow dismissed below 125 to 150 runs. I say that because you have Aniket Verma and Sachin Baby as possibilities, or Abhinav Manohar would play at number six,” he remarked.
“Pat Cummins can bat, but even if he does so at number seven, it’s one spot higher than where he ought to be. They therefore require two Indian batsmen to bat at Nos. 6 and 7. It’s challenging to bat in those areas. It can be a minor issue if you keep your least experienced gamers there. This could be a vulnerability,” Chopra continued.
Aakash Chopra clarified Pat Cummins’ availability and the potential instability within the team in the same video. Which scene involves Pat Cummins’ injury? Just now, he missed the Champions Trophy. Is he going to be available all season long? There can be a small leadership gap if he is unavailable. “Who are you going to appoint as captain?” he said.
Henrich Klassen was also touted as a possible replacement for Pat Cummins as captain in the event that he decides to withdraw from the competition. What is the scene involving the injury to Pat Cummins? Just now, he missed the Champions Trophy. Is he going to be available all season long? There can be a small leadership gap if he is unavailable. “Who are you going to appoint as captain?” he said.
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