SRH Predicted Playing XI vs RR: Ishan Kishan to follow Abhishek Sharma, Shami to spearhead with Cummins

After a superb Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season opener between defending champions KKR and RCB, we are set for a mouth-watering double-header. While the night game will be a high-octane CSK vs MI rivalry restoration, the afternoon game is no less. It is the IPL 2016 winners vs the IPL 2008 champions, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) taking on the Rajasthan Royals (RR). The Pat Cummins-led side is known for being extremely aggressive with the bat and this season they also have the likes of Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami and Adam Zampa.

On that note, let us look at the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Predicted Playing XI for the clash against Rajasthan in Uppal, Hyderabad.

Abhishek Sharma-Travis Head deadly duo

In an attempt to go one step extra this season, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will be banking on their dynamic opening duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma to set the tone. The destructive pair has been a nightmare for opposition bowlers, providing blistering starts that have left teams reeling. Their extreme hitting might just pave the way for 1st ever 300+ total in IPL!

Abhishek Sharma, in particular, has been a model of consistency over the last three seasons, amassing an impressive 426, 226, and 484 runs in IPL 2022, 2023, and 2024 respectively. Now, he has found massive success as an international player as well, having racked up a century against England at Wankhede in just 37 balls as well. Last year, no one hit more sixes than Abhishek at IPL 2024!

Travis Head, on the other hand, was in scintillating form in IPL 2024, racking up 567 runs, including a century and four half-centuries. His staggering strike rate of 191.55 sent shivers down the spines of opposition bowlers, who struggled to contain the Australian’s explosive batting. Together with Abhishek, the pair is fearfully known as ‘Travi-shek’.

Ishan Kishan to bat at No. 3

The addition of Ishan Kishan at number three is expected to add further firepower to the SRH lineup. Kishan’s aggressive batting style and ability to take the game away from the opposition will undoubtedly create problems for rival teams. Even during the practice games, Kishan’s outings were impressive. He’s also one of those few players who have point to prove come the IPL 2025.

Meanwhile, at number four and five would be Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen. While Reddy is coming on the back of an injury, Klaasen will continue to be a menace in the middle overs. At Rs 23 crore, he is the costliest retention ever. For Nitish Reddy, it is a season to impress too!

Inexperience finishers?

While SRH look quite solid on paper, their only weakness seems to be some inexperience in the lower order. Abhinav Manohar, who always does superb in local T20 tournaments, has an opportunity to shine and steal the show as he would be batting as a finisher. With the use of an Impact Sub, SRH can fill in another batter. That batter could be Aniket Verma, was bought for Rs 30 lakh at the IPL 2025 mega auction, but did superbly during practice games. He batted twice in the same innings, scoring 46 (17) and 28 (15). 

Mohammed Shami to pair with skipper Cummins!

Just like their batting, SRH has a solid bowling attack with almost all the bases covered. They let go of experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar but have managed to replace him with another veteran, Mohammed Shami. After a year-long injury layoff, Shami has rediscovered his form and rhythm. He played a crucial role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker (9). Earlier, Shami’s impressive performance extended to the IPL, where he excelled for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, claiming 48 wickets at an average of 21.04 and a remarkable strike rate of 15.75.

Now, Pat Cummins will be under scanner somewhat as well, with the SRH skipper coming on the back of a lengthy layoff. He last played at the Test series against India but missed the consequent tour to Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy. With SRH having Harshal Patel in the bowling attack too, we might just see Cummins share the new ball with Shami.

Talking about Harshal, he has always been a wicket-taking asset, having won Purple cap twice. SRH would expect him to do well again this season. Meanwhile, Rahul Chahar will be the sole Indian spinner. He’s importance is paramount for SRH as there are no like-for-like replacements for the leggie. Of course, we have completed our playing XI but this was the batting first XI.

With just three overseas included thus far, SRH will have an option of either adding a spinner in Adam Zampa or pacer in Eshan Malinga in the second innings.

SRH Predicted Playing XI vs RR (batting 1st)

Position	Number	Role
1.	Travis Head	Batter
2.	Abhishek Sharma	Batting All-rounder
3.	Ishan Kishan (WK)	Batter-Keeper
4.	Nitish Kumar Reddy	All-rounder
5.	Heinrich Klaasen	Batter-Keeper
6.	Abhinav Manohar	All-rounder
7.	Aniket Verma	Batter
8.	Pat Cummins (C)	Bowling All-rounder
9.	Rahul Chahar	Spinner
10.	Harshal Patel	Bowler
11.	Mohammed Shami	Bowler

Batters: Ishan Kishan (wk), Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby, Aniket Verma, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head
All-rounders: Wiaan Mulder, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins (c), Nitish Kumar Reddy
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Adam Zampa, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga