Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been dealt a significant blow mid-season with their experienced Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa being ruled out of the remainder of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Adam Zampa’s IPL 2025 cut short due to injury

The announcement came via IPL’s official social media handles on April 14. While the franchise refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the nature or extent of the injury, it confirmed Zampa’s unavailability for the rest of the season. The 32-year-old was expected to play a key role in SRH’s spin department, but his underwhelming performances in the first two games – where he returned figures of 1/48 against Rajasthan Royals and 1/46 against Lucknow Super Giants – ultimately led to his exclusion from the playing XI. With an economy rate soaring at 11.75, Zampa was proving ineffective on the flat Indian tracks, and his absence now forces SRH to rethink their bowling balance for the upcoming matches.

Sunrisers Hyderabad announces Zampa’s replacement for the remaining season

In a surprising move, SRH opted not to replace Zampa with another frontline spinner, but instead signed 21-year-old left-handed batter Smaran Ravichandran as his replacement. The Karnataka youngster joins the squad at his base price of INR 30 lakhs. Though primarily a batter, Smaran’s recent performances in domestic cricket—particularly in the 2024 Ranji Trophy -have caught the attention of talent scouts across franchises.

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He has played seven First-Class matches, 10 List A games and 6 T20s, showcasing a compact technique and maturity beyond his years. While it’s uncommon to replace a bowler with a batter, SRH may be looking to bolster their Indian batting depth to allow flexibility in overseas selections, especially in the middle order.

SRH have had a stuttering start to their IPL 2025 campaign. After six matches, they find themselves at 9th on the points table, having won only two games and lost four. The team’s most recent outing, however, was a massive morale-booster, as they chased down a mammoth 246-run target against Punjab Kings – a record-breaking feat that showcased their batting firepower and hinted at a potential mid-season revival. SRH’s next challenge comes in the form of five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Match 33 of IPL 2025, scheduled for April 17 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.

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