Explaining SRH’s Struggles: Vettori Opens Up on Shami and Reddy

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori has addressed the team’s recent performance, specifically highlighting the struggles of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and the limited bowling opportunities for young talent Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Shami’s Dip in Form

Vettori acknowledged that Shami, who came to SRH with a hefty price tag of Rs 10 crore after a stellar IPL 2023 with Gujarat Titans, hasn’t quite hit his stride this season. The 34-year-old has managed just six wickets in nine games, with an economy rate of 11.23. Vettori attributed this to Shami’s lack of recent T20 cricket experience, as he last played in the format in 2023.

“It is a long time ago that he played T20 cricket (IPL), so it always takes a little bit to acclimate back into it,”

Vettori emphasized that Shami’s form is often dependent on consistency and hitting the right length, which he believes the bowler hasn’t quite managed this season. Despite the struggles, Vettori remains confident in Shami’s ability to bounce back due to his proven quality.

Reddy’s Reduced Role

Former SRH bowling coach Dale Steyn had previously raised eyebrows over the limited bowling opportunities for young Nitish Kumar Reddy. In the previous IPL, Reddy had emerged as a promising talent, contributing both with the bat and ball. However, this season, he has primarily focused on batting and bowled in just three matches.

Vettori explained that Reddy’s bowling opportunities were hampered by a side strain he sustained before the tournament.

“He brought a side-strain into the tournament, which obviously he had throughout, is the reason why he missed a lot of cricket prior to that, and then it was just a slow, meticulous build-up.”

Despite his limited bowling workload, Vettori believes Reddy’s batting struggles are a learning experience for him. He cited the challenging nature of the number four or five position in the IPL and expressed confidence in Reddy’s ability to bounce back.

SRH’s Overall Performance

With six wins and seven losses, SRH finished sixth in the points table, a significant drop from their runner-up finish in the previous season.