Sunrisers Hyderabad’s already troubled IPL 2025 campaign has taken another blow, with key batter Smaran Ravichandran ruled out due to injury. The setback compounds the franchise’s growing list of fitness concerns and comes at a time when consistency and squad depth are in short supply.
Smaran, who was initially brought in as an injury replacement for Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, never got a chance to feature in a match before being sidelined. Reports suggest he may have picked up the injury during a net session, marking a frustrating and untimely exit.
To fill the void, SRH has called up Vidarbha’s Harsh Dubey, a promising 22-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner with strong credentials in domestic cricket, particularly in the red-ball format.
Dubey’s first-class record stands out—97 wickets at an average of 19.98 in 32 innings, including eight five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match performances. In List A cricket, he has claimed 21 wickets in 20 matches, albeit at a higher average of 34.66.
Despite his red-ball success, Dubey has had limited exposure to the shortest format. With only 16 T20 appearances, he has managed nine wickets at an average of 34.66, with a best of 2/20. However, his economy rate of 6.78 runs per over hints at his potential as a restrictive bowler, capable of delivering in pressure situations.
While his batting opportunities have been limited—19 runs in five T20 innings—Dubey is regarded as a capable lower-order contributor.
SRH’s decision to bring in Dubey may be driven by long-term vision as much as immediate need. Their spin department has struggled this season, with Zeeshan Ansari being the only consistent performer. The addition of Dubey adds depth and variety, and more importantly, doesn’t consume a valuable overseas slot.
The Hyderabad franchise has had to constantly shuffle its squad due to injuries, undermining its stability and strategic planning. With foreign player slots already stretched, the choice of an Indian spinner like Dubey could prove prudent.
As SRH continues to grapple with form and fitness concerns, their hopes may now rest on young talents like Dubey stepping up and delivering in high-stakes encounters.
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