Here is why Adam Zampa Isn’t Playing Today’s IPL 2025 Match 19 Against GT

Sunrisers Hyderabad have once again opted to keep Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa on the bench for their high-profile clash against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. The decision has left several fans surprised, especially with Ahmedabad offering conditions that have traditionally supported spinners. However, SRH’s current playing XI suggests that Zampa’s exclusion is more tactical than unexpected.

SRH’s Overseas Slots Already Filled

SRH’s playing XI features four overseas players: Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Kamindu Mendis, and skipper Pat Cummins. This already utilizes the full quota of four overseas slots allowed in the IPL. Each of these players offers key attributes that have made them nearly undroppable at this stage of the tournament.

In this setup, there is simply no room for Zampa unless SRH decides to drop one of these impactful names—something the team management isn’t ready to do.

Zampa’s IPL Track Record Is Underwhelming

Adam Zampa has a patchy IPL record. Despite his global success in T20 cricket, his numbers in the IPL haven’t quite reflected his potential. Across 18 IPL matches, he has taken 23 wickets with an economy rate over 8 runs per over. Apart from a stunning 6/19 in 2016, he has not had many impactful performances in recent years.

His 2024 season with SRH was modest, and he wasn’t able to establish a regular spot in the starting XI. With SRH strengthening their pace unit with Mohammed Shami and Jaydev Unadkat, and having a mix of part-time spin options like Mendis and Nitish Kumar Reddy, Zampa’s inclusion becomes harder to justify.

Indian Spin Options and Match-Ups Influence Selection

SRH’s bowling strategy today leans more on pace, with Shami, Cummins, and Unadkat leading the attack. They also have Zeeshan Ansari, a young Indian spinner, in the XI who offers control in the middle overs. Given Gujarat’s right-hander-heavy batting line-up, SRH may have preferred Zeeshan’s style over Zampa’s leg-spin for match-up purposes.

In T20 cricket, team balance and match-ups often outweigh reputation. Zampa, being a specialist, may only feature on slow, turning tracks or if any of the current overseas players are rested.

What Lies Ahead?

As the tournament progresses and SRH encounters spin-friendly venues or needs to shuffle their overseas lineup due to fatigue or form, Zampa could make a return. Until then, he remains a strategic bench option, offering depth and experience from the sidelines.

For now, the Australian leggie will have to wait patiently for the right conditions and team combination to open the door for his return to the field.

GT vs SRH Playing XI

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI):

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klassen (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhinav Manohar, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins (C), Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Simarjeet Singh

Gujarat Titans (Playing XI):

Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Shahrukh Khan, Sherfane Rutherford, Ishant Sharma, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj

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