Mohammed Kaif believes Sunrisers Hyderabad face a stern stretch after their defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT), warning that the Men in Orange must quickly find a way to cope with varying conditions. SRH’s struggle was laid bare at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, where they were dismissed for 86 while chasing 169, marking their lowest all-out total in the tournament. The pitch assisted the seamers, and the Pat Cummins-led side fell short in shot-making, particularly when Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada struck during the powerplay.
Despite the setback, SRH remain third in the standings with seven wins and five defeats, collecting 14 points. Their next two matches will come against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai on May 18, followed by their final league game at home against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on May 22. CSK, who began the campaign with three consecutive losses, have since surged to a strong run of six wins and only two more defeats, climbing steadily into contention.
For PBKS, the May 22 clash carries extra urgency as they look to recover from a mid-season slump that has seen them lose four straight matches. With three remaining league fixtures after that, the result at home could shape their chances of reaching the playoffs and also influence the momentum they carry from last season’s runner-up finish.
Kaif’s warning on SRH’s adaptability
Speaking on JioHotstar’s “Match Centre Live,” Kaif said SRH will find the CSK trip especially challenging. He stressed that adapting to different conditions is crucial in the IPL and pointed to SRH’s failure to adjust against GT as a key talking point for their dressing room.
Kaif added that there is no need for panic, but SRH must address their ability to perform across changing surfaces and match situations. In his view, they will likely be more comfortable when they finish the league phase at home against Punjab, where they know the conditions well. However, to push into the top two, they must deliver in the away fixture against Chennai, particularly given CSK’s current form.
He concluded by underlining the difficulty of SRH’s closing stretch: “No panic yet, but it’s something they need to address. They finish at home against Punjab, where they are comfortable and know the conditions. But if they want to push for a top two finish, they need to win away against Chennai. CSK are looking good right now. So, SRH have a tough road ahead in their last two games.”
GT on top as playoff picture tightens
GT are now positioned at the summit of the table with eight wins and four losses, earning 16 points. Their remaining fixtures include games against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and CSK. KKR have also found rhythm recently, winning four matches in a row, and will face GT in Kolkata on May 16. GT will then host CSK on May 21, with the outcomes of these encounters expected to play a major role in deciding whether the race shapes into a qualifier or an eliminator for the teams involved.
Kaif said the qualification equation for GT looks straightforward, but he cautioned against underestimating the teams sitting just behind them. He warned that with plenty of cricket still left, no side in the top four can feel secure.
“I think Gujarat Titans will qualify; that’s clear. But Kolkata Knight Riders, who play GT next, have only played ten games and are in good form. Do not write them or CSK off either. The next few days will give us a clearer picture of the top four. Gujarat should go through, but the second, third, and fourth spots are hard to call. There is still plenty of cricket left. No team in that group can feel safe right now,” Kaif added.
How the match unfolded
When the toss was taken, SRH chose to field first. GT were jolted early and slipped to 26/2. Sai Sudharsan played the anchor innings, scoring 61 off 44 balls with five fours and two half-centuries, rebuilding alongside Nishant Sindhu, who made 22 off 14 balls with three fours and a six. Their partnership yielded 38 runs before the duo added a further 60-run stand with Washington Sundar, who contributed 50 off 33 balls, striking seven fours and one six. By the end of the innings, GT reached 168/5 in 20 overs, with fifties from Sudharsan and Washington setting the foundation.
For SRH, Praful Hinge produced a decisive spell, taking 2/17 in three overs, while Sakib Hussain also struck twice, finishing with 2/37 in four overs. Captain Pat Cummins added control at the other end as well, returning figures of 1/20 from his four overs.
In the chase, Mohammed Siraj made an early impact by removing Travis Head for a duck in his three-over burst. Kagiso Rabada then applied further pressure on the top order, breaking the batting of Abhishek Sharma (6), Ishan Kishan (11), and Smaran Ravichandran (9). That sequence left SRH reeling at 32/4 after 5.5 overs.
SRH never recovered. Jason Holder removed key batters with figures of 3/20 in four overs, and Prasidh Krishna followed with 2/23 in three overs to wrap up the innings at 86. Cummins, with 19 runs, was SRH’s leading scorer.
Rabada was named Player of the Match for his explosive powerplay spell.
With the result, GT remain at the top on 16 points, holding eight wins and four losses. SRH drop to third, finishing with seven wins and five defeats for 14 points.
