“He has been a huge failure in the playoffs” – Ex-India skipper tears into Abhis – Kris Srikkanth Criticizes Abhishek Sharma After SRH Playoff Exit

The Playoff Struggles Continue for Abhishek Sharma

The IPL 2026 Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the New Chandigarh Stadium served as another reminder of the fragility of high-intensity knockout cricket. While the Rajasthan Royals celebrated a dominant 47-run victory to move forward, the aftermath for Sunrisers Hyderabad has been defined by harsh analysis, particularly from former Team India captain Kris Srikkanth.

The central figure in Srikkanth’s critique was SRH opener Abhishek Sharma. Tasked with chasing a massive target of 244 runs, Sharma failed to make an impact, falling for a two-ball duck. His dismissal, a result of edging a sharp delivery from Jofra Archer through to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, set the tone for a disastrous batting collapse.

Srikkanth’s Damning Assessment

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former national selector did not mince his words regarding Sharma’s inability to deliver when the stakes are highest. Srikkanth pointed out that this has become a worrying pattern for the Sunrisers since 2024. “Abhishek Sharma has always failed in the playoffs. He has been a huge failure in the playoffs. That’s been SRH’s problem since 2024,” Srikkanth stated.

The statistics support this harsh observation. In four IPL playoff appearances, the left-hander has managed a meager 17 runs, averaging a dismal 4.25. For a team that relies heavily on explosive starts, this failure at the top of the order proved insurmountable against a side as disciplined as the Rajasthan Royals.

Strategic Blunders and Questionable Decisions

Beyond the individual failure of Sharma, Srikkanth questioned the overall tactical approach of the Sunrisers Hyderabad management. The decision to send Smaran ahead of seasoned powerhouse Heinrich Klaasen during a high-pressure chase left many experts confused, including Srikkanth.

“I am not sure why they sent Smaran ahead of Klaasen. Was Klaasen not willing to play Archer, or did SRH want to send Klaasen after Archer’s opening spell finished? It was unclear what their strategy was,” he noted. This hesitation, coupled with the early loss of wickets, meant that the required run rate quickly spiraled out of control.

The Archer Factor and Reckless Batting

Jofra Archer’s performance for the Rajasthan Royals was nothing short of clinical. By removing Sharma, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan inside the first five overs, Archer effectively gutted the SRH top order. Srikkanth was particularly vocal about Travis Head’s approach, describing it as “blindly slogging” and suggesting that the Australian opener appeared intimidated by the pace and precision of Archer.

“If Travis Head played sensibly and Kishan did not get out at that time, they would have had an outside chance. But the way SRH just blindly slog, do they think it’s so easy to just score runs? I was surprised that SRH didn’t even put up a fight,” Srikkanth added. He further compared Head’s technique unfavorably to his own playing days, noting that while he himself was known for aggressive batting, the recklessness displayed by Head in this match was a bridge too far.

A Disastrous Collapse

Despite a brief, spirited counterattack from Ishan Kishan, the SRH lineup crumbled under the sustained pressure applied by the Rajasthan bowling unit. Once Kishan departed, the innings lost all momentum. The team was eventually bowled out for 196, a score that reflected the lack of partnerships and the inability of the middle order to stabilize the ship.

This loss brings a premature end to the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 2026 campaign. As the franchise looks toward the future, the recurring issues regarding their performance in the knockout stages—and specifically the output of their top-order batsmen in pressure situations—will undoubtedly be the primary topic of conversation during the off-season. Whether this triggers a major overhaul in their batting lineup or a shift in their tactical philosophy remains to be seen.