Adam Zampa Withdraws from IPL 2025 Due to Shoulder Injury Recurrence
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have officially confirmed the withdrawal of Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa from the remainder of the IPL 2025 season following a recurrence of a shoulder injury.
The 32-year-old featured in SRH’s first two matches as an Impact Substitute, returning figures of 1/48 and 1/46 in high-scoring thrillers, including the 528-run spectacle against Rajasthan Royals. However, Zampa later began experiencing soreness in his bowling shoulder—a pre-existing issue he managed ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
After missing four consecutive matches, Zampa has now flown back to Australia for a medical reassessment. While initial hopes lingered over a short recovery window, SRH has made the decision to replace him in the squad.
R. Smaran Joins SRH as Zampa’s Replacement
Filling the vacancy is Karnataka’s 21-year-old left-handed batter R. Smaran, who joins the Sunrisers at his base price of INR 30 lakh. Despite not being a like-for-like replacement, Smaran’s explosive domestic form makes him a valuable addition:
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First-Class Cricket: 500+ runs in 7 matches | Average: 64.50 | Includes a double century vs Punjab
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List A Cricket: Average: 72.16 across 10 matches | 2 Centuries
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T20 Cricket: Strike Rate of 170 from 6 games
Smaran’s inclusion adds depth to SRH’s top and middle-order batting, potentially offering flexibility in team combinations moving forward.
Zampa’s Focus Shifts to T20 World Cup Preparation
While his IPL stint ends prematurely, Zampa remains a key figure in Australia’s T20 plans, particularly with the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching. He is expected to return in time for Australia’s T20I series against the West Indies in July, part of a busy schedule of 19 bilateral T20Is leading into the global event co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Chennai Super Kings Sign Mhatre from Mumbai
In a related IPL development, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have bolstered their domestic lineup by signing Mumbai batter Mhatre for INR 30 lakh. While not directly linked to an injury, the move suggests a strategic investment in domestic talent for bench strength and future planning.
Final Thoughts
Adam Zampa’s exit is a setback for SRH, especially given his pedigree in white-ball cricket. However, the inclusion of R. Smaran opens a new chapter for the young Karnataka star, potentially giving him the platform to shine on the IPL stage. Meanwhile, Australian cricket fans will hope Zampa makes a full recovery ahead of a crucial international season.
