Ahmedabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori has defended his team’s aggressive batting approach despite a dramatic collapse while chasing a modest target against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL 2026 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

SRH were bowled out for just 86 runs in 14.5 overs while chasing 169, suffering one of their most disappointing defeats of the season. The crushing loss raised questions over the team’s strategy, particularly their attacking intent in the powerplay despite the manageable target.

Vettori backs aggressive powerplay strategy

Addressing the media after the match, Vettori made it clear that SRH would not deviate from their aggressive philosophy, even after the heavy defeat.

“We always want to get off to a good start, that’s our mode of operation through the powerplay,” Vettori said. “Today, even though they bowled exceptionally well, there were a couple of unfortunate dismissals early on. From there, it became difficult to regroup as the pressure kept building.”

SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma went on the attack from the outset but were dismissed cheaply within the first two overs. The early setbacks triggered a collapse, leaving the team struggling at 32 for four by the end of the powerplay.

Vettori acknowledged the quality of Gujarat’s bowling attack, which proved decisive in dismantling SRH’s batting line-up.

“We knew coming up against their bowling unit, with five seamers plus Rashid, would be a challenge. Rabada and Siraj were outstanding with the new ball, and Jason Holder was exceptional with his lengths,” he added.

Tactical batting changes under scrutiny

Another decision that drew attention was SRH’s altered batting order during the chase. In-form batter Heinrich Klaasen, who usually bats at No. 4, was pushed down to No. 6, with Smaran Ravichandran and Salil Arora promoted ahead of him.

The move came under criticism, especially as SRH struggled to rebuild after the early wickets. However, Vettori explained that the decision was influenced by the match situation.

“When it was 23 for three, we sent Smaran in because we wanted Klaasen to have more time during the middle stages,” he said. “Sometimes you have to adapt based on the situation, but credit must go to Gujarat’s bowling for keeping the pressure on.”

Klaasen eventually failed to make a significant impact, as SRH’s batting unit crumbled under relentless pressure from the GT bowlers.

Gujarat’s pace attack proves too strong

The match turned into a showcase of Gujarat Titans’ pace strength, with Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Jason Holder delivering exceptional spells.

Siraj struck early with a wicket-maiden, while Rabada’s fiery spell removed key top-order batters, leaving SRH in deep trouble. Holder then tightened the screws in the middle overs, ensuring there was no recovery for the visitors.

The relentless pace attack exposed vulnerabilities in SRH’s batting approach, particularly when attempting to play aggressively on a challenging surface.

SRH batting collapse a rare blip

Despite the magnitude of the defeat, Vettori refused to criticise his players, instead calling the collapse an isolated setback in an otherwise strong campaign.

“I don’t put any blame on the batting unit; they’ve been exceptional this year,” he said. “Every team goes through small blips in a long tournament, and this was ours tonight. I believe the team will bounce back strongly.”

SRH have been one of the more consistent teams in IPL 2026, and Vettori’s comments suggest that the management remains confident in the squad’s ability to recover quickly.

Conclusion: SRH to persist with fearless approach

While the loss has dented SRH’s momentum and impacted their playoff chances, the team management appears committed to maintaining its aggressive brand of cricket.

Vettori’s stance indicates that SRH will continue to prioritise positive intent, especially in the powerplay, rather than adopting a cautious approach. As the tournament enters its decisive phase, how the team responds to this setback could play a crucial role in shaping their playoff hopes.