Behind SRH early exit: Lack of quick-fix cricketer like Shahbaz Ahmed, and Impact Subs who made little impact

Zeeshan Ansari of Sunrisers Hyderabad celebrates the wicket of Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2025 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. (Sportzpics)

Last season, despite Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive batting dominating headlines, Shahbaz Ahmed played a vital, under-appreciated role. He consistently delivered with both bat (215 runs) and ball (7 wickets), proving to be a reliable crisis man and bridging the batting and bowling units, exemplified by his crucial performance in Qualifier II against Rajasthan Royals. This season, without Shahbaz, SRH struggled to find a player who could offer that same versatility and dependability in the lower order and as a secondary spinner, highlighting the significance of his understated contributions. (Read more from Tanishq Vaddi)