‘A brand to admire but it comes at a cost’ – Moody wants SRH to invest in bowler – Tom Moody Urges SRH to Rethink Bowling Investment After IPL 2026 Exit
The Cost of a High-Octane Brand
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wrapped up their IPL 2026 campaign with a bittersweet feeling. Winning nine of their 14 league-stage matches is an achievement that would make most franchises proud, yet finishing third—missing out on the top-two finish due to net run-rate—ultimately left them vulnerable in the Eliminator. While the team showcased an explosive brand of cricket that captivated fans, former SRH head coach Tom Moody believes the side is paying a heavy price for its one-dimensional focus on power-hitting.
The Batting Paradox
There is no denying that the SRH top order was a force to be reckoned with. Heinrich Klaasen (624 runs), Ishan Kishan (602 runs), and Abhishek Sharma (563 runs) formed a terrifying trio, consistently posting imposing totals. Even Travis Head, despite being slightly below his peak, contributed a solid 410 runs. With Nitish Kumar Reddy providing stability as an able fifth batter, the batting lineup was undoubtedly the envy of the tournament.
However, Moody, who steered the franchise to its 2016 title, argues that this success has created an imbalance. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut, Moody pointed out: “It is a brand to admire but it comes at a cost. They’re yet to lift the trophy with this brand. You’re pouring a lot of money into the way you play as a batting unit. You’re left short with the finances to be able to build a strong bowling unit to be able to support that.”
Bowling Struggles and Financial Allocation
The discrepancy between the team’s batting prowess and its bowling depth became evident when the pressure mounted. While Eshan Malinga (20 wickets) and Sakib Hussain (15 wickets) showed flashes of brilliance, the supporting cast struggled to contain opposition batters. The reliance on young, developing talent like Praful Hinge and Shivang Kumar, while promising, meant the bowling unit often lacked the experience required in high-stakes knockout games.
SRH’s massive investment in Pat Cummins—a record-breaking INR 20.50 crore—highlights their willingness to spend, but it also creates a resource vacuum elsewhere. The team lacks a world-class spin option and a reliable death-bowling veteran, a point underscored by the underwhelming performance of Harshal Patel, who struggled for form throughout his five appearances.
Finding the Right Balance
Moody drew a direct comparison to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), suggesting that the key to sustained success lies in finding equilibrium. “It’s about trying to find that balance and I think that’s what RCB have got. They’ve got that balance right. So, I’m not against the brand but you’ve got to try to balance it out when you’re talking about the salary cap and everything,” Moody added.
Echoing these sentiments, former cricketer Ambati Rayudu noted that while SRH’s brand of cricket is “very exciting” and “very good on the eye,” winning the IPL requires a blend of power and tactical intelligence. Adapting to different conditions and possessing a more versatile bowling attack are the clear areas for improvement.
A Look Ahead
Despite the heartbreak of an early exit, the team management remains optimistic. Pace-bowling coach James Franklin emphasized that the emergence of young Indian talent is a massive positive for the franchise. The integration of players like Salil Arora and Smaran into the core, alongside the standout performances of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, provides a solid foundation for the future.
“Overall, not a lot’s gone wrong,” Franklin stated. “We’ll go away from the tournament, reflect, and look toward the next auction.” As SRH looks toward the future, the challenge will be to reconcile their aggressive, crowd-pleasing batting philosophy with the pragmatic, disciplined bowling necessary to clinch the title.
