Australia’s renowned legspinner Adam Zampa has been ruled out for the remainder of IPL 2025 with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) due to a flare-up of a previous shoulder injury. Zampa, who had featured in the first two matches of the season for SRH, took 1 for 48 and 1 for 46 in his outings but has now returned home for further medical consultation.
Zampa’s IPL 2025 Campaign Cut Short by Injury
Zampa had been brought in as the Impact Sub for SRH, and despite some solid performances in high-scoring games, the recurrence of his shoulder injury has sidelined him for the rest of the tournament. His last two appearances saw SRH engaged in an epic high-scoring match against Rajasthan Royals, with 528 runs being scored in that encounter. However, Zampa began to experience soreness in his bowling arm, forcing him to miss the next four matches.
The Injury Recurrence: A Setback for Adam Zampa
It is understood that Zampa’s current shoulder issue is a recurrence of a problem he faced leading up to the 2023 ODI World Cup. In that tournament, despite battling the injury, he recovered to become the second-leading wicket-taker, playing a pivotal role in Australia’s World Cup victory. The team had hoped that after a short rest, he might return to IPL 2025 but decided instead to prioritize his recovery and focus on international duties ahead.
SRH Replaces Zampa with R Smaran
Following Zampa’s withdrawal, SRH has opted to replace him with 21-year-old Karnataka batter R Smaran. Zampa’s absence will create a void in SRH’s spin department, but the team will look to R Smaran’s inclusion to bolster their batting. Smaran is expected to provide fresh energy to the squad as SRH pushes to recover in the tournament.
Looking Ahead: Zampa’s Road to Recovery
Zampa is now expected to miss IPL 2025 and is unlikely to play again until Australia’s next T20I series against the West Indies, which starts in late July 2025. As one of Australia’s leading bowlers, Zampa will be a key figure in Australia’s preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The team has 19 bilateral T20I matches scheduled between July 2025 and February 2026, and Zampa will look to regain full fitness to be a part of these key series.
Zampa’s Importance for Australia Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup
As Australia’s build-up to the T20 World Cup intensifies, Zampa will be a key part of the team’s spin department. The Australian team will be hoping for a full recovery from Zampa, and his return to fitness is crucial for Australia’s prospects in the upcoming series, as the team looks to fine-tune its squad ahead of the World Cup.
Zampa’s IPL 2025 Journey Cut Short
While Adam Zampa’s IPL 2025 campaign has been cut short due to the recurring shoulder injury, his recovery will be closely watched as he gears up for Australia’s next international assignments. His absence leaves a significant gap in SRH’s bowling attack, but the team has moved quickly to replace him with R Smaran. Zampa’s focus will now shift to regaining full fitness as Australia targets the 2026 T20 World Cup.
SRH’s Current Standing and Upcoming Matches
SRH has had a tumultuous season, starting with a dominant win against Rajasthan Royals, only to follow it up with four consecutive losses. They did manage a strong comeback by chasing down 246 against Punjab Kings, but Zampa’s injury adds to their challenges. They currently sit in ninth place in the IPL standings, having won only two out of their six matches.
Looking ahead, SRH is set to face the Mumbai Indians on April 17, 2025, in a crucial match at the Wankhede Stadium. This match could prove pivotal for SRH as they aim to recover from their current slump.
Smaran Ravichandran: The New Hope for SRH
Smaran Ravichandran, the 21-year-old left-handed batter from Karnataka, has been signed at a base price of ₹30 lakhs. He has showcased his versatility across formats, scoring over 1,100 runs in domestic cricket. In the recent Ranji Trophy season, he amassed 516 runs in seven first-class matches at an impressive average of 64.50. In List A cricket, he piled up 433 runs from 10 matches with a remarkable average of 72.16. Smaran also made a notable impact in the T20 format, scoring 170 runs in six games at a strike rate of 170.00, which included a half-century.
As Smaran prepares to join the SRH squad, he expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “The call-up hasn’t sunk in yet. I knew my time would come, and I’m glad it has come this season.” He aims to learn from seasoned players like Heinrich Klaasen and skipper Pat Cummins as he integrates into the team.
With Zampa’s absence, Smaran’s performance could be crucial for SRH as they look to capitalize on his talent and potential. The team is hoping that his inclusion will inject some much-needed energy into their campaign as they strive to turn their season around.
In conclusion, Adam Zampa's injury is a significant blow to SRH's IPL 2025 campaign, but the team is looking to the future with the addition of R Smaran. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how SRH adapts to this change and whether Smaran can rise to the occasion in the high-pressure environment of the IPL.
