As Sunrisers Hyderabad is set to face Gujarat Titans in their next IPL 2025 clash on Sunday (April 6), former Indian batter and commentator Wasim Jaffer shared crucial advice for the struggling openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma.
Both Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma are struggling to replicate their last season’s fireworks, and it has been severely impacting Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chances in the ongoing IPL 2025. Sunrisers Hyderabad is currently the bottom-ranked side in the tournament with three losses in a row.
Wasim Jaffer drops surprise advice for Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of Gujarat Titans clash in the IPL 2025
However, they would now be hoping to turn their fortune when they face Gujarat Titans at their home ground, Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, in Hyderabad on Sunday. Ahead of this crucial game for SRH, Jaffer surprisingly said that Head and Abhishek don’t need any advice.
They have already struck fear into opposition bowlers last season with their fearless hitting, and Jaffer doesn’t want to mess with that magic. The cricket expert wants Head and Abhishek to go out, play their natural game, and keep terrorizing the bowlers just like they did in the last season.
Won’t be telling Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma anything: Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo, “Well, I won’t be telling them anything. I’ll, in fact, tell them to be, you know, themselves, but that that’s what’s worked for them. They put fear into the opposition bowlers. So, you don’t want to tamper with that. They’re very dangerous when they come off. You know, Sunrisers Hyderabad is very dangerous when the openers strike.”
Jaffer further added, “So, I won’t be telling those two guys, but I’ll probably be telling Nitish Reddy. You know, he’s somebody who I feel is looking a little, you know, too rushed, I would say. You know, he’s taking too heavy a risk option early in the innings.”
While the top order needs no fixing, Jaffer has shared a piece of advice for Nitish Kumar Reddy. He believes that Reddy is rushing too much early on, trying risky shots when there’s no need. Jaffer feels Nitish can become a serious threat if he cautiously plays 10-12 balls.
The former Indian batter also pointed out that Abhinav Manohar and Ishan Kishan have serious firepower, but he called for more maturity and better shot selection in pressure situations. Jaffer also stressed that the middle order needs to be ready to step up when the openers don’t fire.
Jaffer signed off by saying, “Even Abhinav Manohar is playing unnecessary shots. If those openers don’t strike, then there’s an opportunity for the number three and number four. Ishan Kishan is pretty new to the system, but he’s got a hundred.
He was unlucky in the last few games, and that can happen. But Nitish Kumar Reddy can take his time. He’s very dangerous once he plays 10, 12, or 15 balls.”
Notably, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans have faced each other 5 times in the IPL. Gujarat has won 3 of those games, while Hyderabad has won just 1. One match ended without a result.