![\"R](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131363528,imgsize-759123,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/131363528.jpg\" "\\"SRH's")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRavichandran Ashwin<\/a> strongly criticised Sunrisers Hyderabad\u2019s reckless batting approach following their 47-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals<\/a> in the IPL 2026 Eliminator, even suggesting that the franchise management may need to make a tough call regarding Travis Head<\/a>\u2019s future.Chasing a massive target of 244, SRH\u2019s explosive batting line-up crumbled under pressure during a disastrous powerplay collapse. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger tore through the top order as Hyderabad slipped to 57\/4 inside the first five overs, effectively derailing the chase.Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck in Archer\u2019s opening over, while Ishan Kishan\u2019s aggressive cameo of 33 off just 11 balls ended prematurely after what Ashwin described as an unnecessary shot. Smaran Ravichandran fell cheaply, before Archer delivered the biggest blow by clean-bowling Travis Head for 17 off eight balls.Despite fighting knocks from Nitish Kumar Reddy (38 off 20) and Salil Arora (35 off 21), SRH never fully recovered from the early collapse and were eventually bowled out for 196 in 19.2 overs.Reacting to the defeat on his YT channel ‘Ash Ki baat’, Ashwin slammed SRH\u2019s shot selection and lack of game awareness in such a high-pressure knockout clash.\u201cI think SRH could have won this match quite easily. When they had already scored around 32-34 runs in the first two overs and nearly 50 in the first three overs, Ishan Kishan\u2019s shot was completely unnecessary. He threw his wicket away,\u201d Ashwin said.\u201cThere was absolutely no meaning to playing such a shot in such a big match. It was a very poor shot,\u201d he added. Ashwin was particularly critical of Travis Head\u2019s season and hinted that SRH management should reassess his role moving forward.\u201cTravis Head has not performed at all this season. The management definitely needs to think about Travis Head. He should have played more responsibly. There was no point in getting out by playing such a poor shot,\u201d Ashwin added.The veteran spinner felt SRH still had a realistic chance while Nitish Kumar Reddy was at the crease, but the constant loss of wickets made the massive chase impossible.\u201cSRH were still in the match until the 14th over when Nitish Kumar Reddy was batting. But if you keep losing so many wickets, you can never chase such a huge total.\u201cIf SRH had shown a little more game awareness and played with calmer minds, they could have won this match comfortably. Honestly, it was a very poor batting performance from the SRH team,\u201d he concluded.<\/div>\n