The Orange Army: Rising from the Ashes to Cricket Glory
In the high-octane world of the Indian Premier League, few stories are as compelling as that of the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Born from the ashes of the terminated Deccan Chargers in December 2012, this orange army has carved a unique identity in cricket’s most prestigious T20 league. From their triumphant IPL title in 2016 to setting a record-breaking team total of 287 runs in 2024, SRH has experienced spectacular highs and challenging lows in their cricketing journey—all while transforming from a bowling powerhouse to a formidable batting juggernaut.
What makes the Sunrisers’ story particularly fascinating is their resilience through changing fortunes. After enjoying five consecutive playoff qualifications from 2016 to 2020, the team weathered a difficult period between 2021-2023 before rising again to become finalists in 2024 under Pat Cummins’ leadership. 🏏✨ How did this franchise, playing in the 55,000-capacity Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, manage to reinvent itself and remain competitive in the fiercely contested IPL landscape?
Join us as we explore the complete story of the Sunrisers Hyderabad—from their inception and evolution, current squad composition, and historical milestones to their distinctive playing style, strategic approach, and the leadership that has shaped this remarkable franchise.
Squad 2025
Captain:
- Pat Cummins (Australia)
Batters:
- Travis Head (Australia)
- Abhishek Sharma (India)
- Atharva Taide (India)
- Abhinav Manohar (India)
- Aniket Verma (India)
- Sachin Baby (India)
Wicketkeepers:
- Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa)
- Ishan Kishan (India)
All-rounders:
- Nitish Kumar Reddy (India)
- Wiaan Mulder (South Africa)
- Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Pace Bowlers:
- Mohammed Shami (India)
- Harshal Patel (India)
- Jaydev Unadkat (India)
- Simarjeet Singh (India)
- Eshan Malinga (Sri Lanka)
Spin Bowlers:
- Adam Zampa (Australia)
- Rahul Chahar (India)
- Zeeshan Ansari (India)
🟠 Support Staff
- Director of Cricket: Allu Arjun
- Team Manager: Kothi Nithin Reddy
- Head Coach: Daniel Vettori
Historical Performance Milestones
Now that we’ve explored the origins of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, let’s examine their remarkable journey through the IPL seasons and the milestones that have defined their presence in the tournament.
A. Debut season in 2013: Fourth place finish
The Sunrisers Hyderabad made an impressive entry into the Indian Premier League in 2013. After replacing the dissolved Deccan Chargers franchise, SRH quickly established themselves as a competitive team in their inaugural season. The Orange Army surprised many cricket analysts by securing a playoff berth in their very first attempt. Their fourth-place finish demonstrated that the new franchise had both the talent and determination to compete at the highest level of T20 cricket, setting a strong foundation for future seasons.
B. Championship glory in 2016
The pinnacle of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s achievements came in 2016 when they claimed their first IPL title. Under David Warner’s inspirational leadership, SRH defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight runs in a thrilling final. This championship victory, achieved in just their fourth season of existence, cemented SRH’s status as a powerhouse in the IPL. Warner’s exceptional batting performances throughout the season were instrumental in their success, as he established himself as the franchise’s most prolific run-scorer and began his journey toward winning multiple Orange Cap awards for the tournament’s highest run-getter.
C. Consistent playoff appearances (2016-2020)
Following their championship triumph, the Sunrisers Hyderabad entered a period of remarkable consistency. The team qualified for the playoffs for five consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2020, a testament to their well-balanced squad and effective management. During this golden era, SRH built their reputation on a solid bowling attack led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who became the franchise’s leading wicket-taker, and a dependable batting lineup anchored by David Warner.
However, this period of stability ended after 2020, with the team experiencing a decline in performance in subsequent seasons. The fallout with former captain David Warner in 2021 marked a turning point, leading to last-place finishes in both the 2021 and 2023 IPL editions.
With these historical milestones in mind, we’ll next explore the distinctive playing style and strategic approach that has characterized the Sunrisers Hyderabad throughout their IPL journey, particularly during their most successful periods.
Leadership and Management
Now that we’ve explored the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s distinctive playing style and strategy, let’s examine the leadership that has guided the Orange Army through its IPL journey.
Notable Coaches: Tom Moody, Brian Lara, Daniel Vettori
The Sunrisers Hyderabad has benefited from world-class cricket minds at the helm of their coaching operations. Tom Moody served as a significant figure in SRH’s coaching history, playing a crucial role during the team’s most successful period, including their 2016 IPL championship victory.
Brian Lara, the West Indian batting legend, took on coaching responsibilities for the franchise during a challenging period. His expertise helped reshape the team’s approach, though results during his tenure were mixed as SRH struggled between 2021-2023, finishing near the bottom of the league table.
Currently, Daniel Vettori serves as the Head Coach, also doubling as the bowling coach for Australia. Under his guidance in 2024, SRH experienced a remarkable resurgence, setting a new IPL record for highest team total with 287 runs against Royal Challengers Bangalore and ultimately finishing as runners-up after an impressive playoff campaign.
The current coaching setup includes cricket legend Muttiah Muralidharan as spin bowling and strategic coach, while Simon Helmot serves as the assistant coach. Additional support staff features James Franklin (pace bowling coach), Ryan Cook (fielding coach), and a comprehensive team of specialists ensuring the players’ physical and mental preparedness.
Captain History: From Warner to Williamson to Cummins
Leadership on the field has been equally impressive for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. David Warner stands out as one of SRH’s most influential captains, also serving as the franchise’s leading run-scorer with three Orange Cap wins. His aggressive batting and tactical acumen were instrumental during SRH’s title-winning 2016 campaign.
Kane Williamson took over the captaincy reins from Warner, bringing his calm demeanor and strategic thinking to the role. Under his leadership, SRH reached the finals in 2018, solidifying their reputation as a consistent playoff contender during the period from 2016 to 2020.
The current captain, Pat Cummins, appointed in 2024, has already made a significant impact. Working closely with head coach Daniel Vettori, Cummins led the team to a runner-up finish in IPL 2024, restoring SRH’s competitive edge after several disappointing seasons. The management’s decision to maintain this leadership structure heading into the upcoming season demonstrates confidence in the Cummins-Vettori partnership.
With this comprehensive leadership structure in place, let’s move to our conclusion and consider what the future holds for the Orange Army in upcoming IPL seasons.
Conclusion
The Sunrisers Hyderabad aren’t just another IPL team. They’re a testament to what solid management, strategic player selection, and consistent performance can achieve in cricket’s most competitive league.
From their humble beginnings to their championship glory in 2016, SRH has built a reputation as one of IPL’s most tactical teams. The Orange Army has evolved from being underdogs to championship contenders, creating their unique identity through disciplined bowling attacks and strategic batting lineups.
What makes SRH special isn’t just their on-field achievements but their ability to bounce back from setbacks. They’ve weathered captain changes, rebuilt their core multiple times, and still maintained competitiveness – something few franchises can claim.
Looking ahead to 2025, SRH seems poised for another exciting chapter. With their mix of experienced internationals and emerging Indian talent, they have all the ingredients to add more silverware to their cabinet.
For cricket fans in Hyderabad and SRH supporters worldwide, this team represents more than just cricket – it’s about consistency, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. Whether they’re defending low totals or chasing impossible targets, the Orange Army continues to embody the fighting spirit that’s made them one of IPL’s most respected franchises.
The Sunrisers’ journey is far from over – it’s a story still being written with each season, each match, and each ball.