Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been one of the most consistent and successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since their debut in 2013. Over the past decade, they have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, winning two IPL titles and consistently making it to the playoffs. In 2024, under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, SRH reached the IPL final for the first time since their title wins in 2016 and 2017.
Table of Contents
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Early Struggles (2013-2015)
Sunrisers Hyderabad made their IPL debut in 2013, after the Deccan Chargers franchise was terminated by the league. The team retained 20 players from the Chargers and filled the remaining slots with new signings. In their inaugural season, Kumar Sangakkara captained SRH for nine matches, while Cameron White was captain for the remaining seven, as well as the eliminator match in the playoffs. The team reached the playoffs in their debut season but were eliminated after losing against Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets.
The following two seasons saw SRH struggle to find consistency. In 2014, Shikhar Dhawan and Darren Sammy were named as captain and vice-captain respectively, with Dhawan leading the team for the first ten matches and Sammy for the remaining four. The team finished in 6th place with six wins and eight losses, failing to secure a place in the playoffs. 2015 saw David Warner take over as captain, leading the team in all matches played. The team again finished 6th with seven wins and seven losses, failing to reach the playoffs. However, David Warner won the first Orange Cap for SRH that season.
Breakthrough Seasons and Title Glory (2016-2017)
2016 marked a turning point for SRH as they had a breakthrough season under David Warner’s captaincy. They finished 3rd in the league stage and qualified for the playoffs. In the Eliminator match, they defeated KKR by 22 runs to qualify for Qualifier 2. In Qualifier 2, they defeated Gujarat Lions by 4 wickets to reach the final. In the final, they faced Royal Challengers Bangalore and emerged victorious by 8 wickets to win their maiden IPL title.
The 2017 season saw SRH continue their impressive run. They finished 3rd in the league stage again. They faced Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator match. But lost to KKR by 7 wickets.
SRH In IPL 2024 Final: Dominate Path to 2nd Trophy
Consistent Performances (2018-2020)
SRH maintained their consistency in the following seasons, finishing as runners-up in 2018 and consistently making it to the playoffs. In 2018, they finished 2nd in the league stage. In Qualifier 1, they defeated Chennai Super Kings by 2 wickets to qualify for the final. However, they lost to Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets in the final and finished as runners-up.
The 2019 season saw SRH finish 4th in the league stage and qualify for the playoffs. In the Eliminator match, they lost to Delhi Capitals by 2 wickets and were eliminated from the tournament. In 2020, SRH finished 3rd in the league stage and qualified for the playoffs. In the Eliminator match, they lost to Delhi Capitals by 17 runs and were eliminated from the tournament.
Captaincy Changes, Disappointing Seasons (2021-2023)
The 2021 season was a disappointing one for SRH as they finished last in the league stage with just 3 wins from 14 matches. Kane Williamson took over as captain midway through the season after David Warner was removed from captaincy. In 2022, SRH finished 8th in the league stage with 6 wins from 14 matches. Kane Williamson continued as captain for the entire season.
The 2023 season saw SRH finish 5th in the league stage with 7 wins from 14 matches. Aiden Markram was appointed as captain for the season after Kane Williamson was released by the franchise.
Resurgence Under Pat Cummins
In 2024, SRH appointed Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins as their captain, despite his lack of experience in T20 captaincy. However, Cummins proved to be an inspired choice, leading the team to a remarkable turnaround. Under his leadership, SRH finished second in the league stage and qualified for the playoffs.
In the Eliminator match, SRH defeated Rajasthan Royals by 36 runs to qualify for Qualifier 2. In Qualifier 2, they faced Kolkata Knight Riders, their opponents in the 2024 IPL final. SRH emerged victorious by 8 wickets to set up a clash with KKR in the final.
Key Players and Captains
Over the years, SRH have had several successful seasons, including their two IPL title wins in 2016 and 2017. They have consistently qualified for the playoffs, except in 2021 when they finished last. The team has been led by several captains, including Kumar Sangakkara, Cameron White, Shikhar Dhawan, David Warner, Kane Williamson, Aiden Markram, and Pat Cummins.
SRH have also had some of the best bowlers in the IPL, such as Dale Steyn, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Rashid Khan, who have played a crucial role in the team’s success. David Warner has been one of the most successful batsmen for SRH, winning the Orange Cap in 2015 and leading the team to their maiden title in 2016.
Conclusion
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been one of the most successful franchises in the IPL over the past decade. Their two title wins in 2016 and 2017 are a testament to the team’s ability to perform under pressure and deliver when it matters most. While they have had some disappointing seasons in recent years, SRH remain a force to be reckoned with in the IPL.
In 2024, under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, SRH have made a remarkable comeback, reaching the IPL final for the first time since their title wins. As they look to the future, SRH will be hoping to add another trophy to their cabinet and cement their place as one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
