Sunrisers Hyderabad have confirmed the withdrawal of Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa from the remainder of IPL 2025 after a recurrence of a pre-existing shoulder injury.
Zampa featured in SRH’s first two matches as an Impact Substitute, returning figures of 1 for 48 and 1 for 46 in high-scoring games, including a match that saw 528 combined runs between SRH and Rajasthan Royals.
However, the 32-year-old began experiencing soreness in his bowling shoulder — an injury he had previously dealt with before the 2023 ODI World Cup — and subsequently missed four matches. He has now returned to Australia for medical assessment.
Zampa had recovered from the same issue in time to play a key role in Australia’s 2023 World Cup win, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker. Though there was initial hope for a short recovery and potential return to the IPL, SRH opted to replace him in the squad.
Stepping in is Karnataka’s 21-year-old left-handed batter R. Smaran, signed at his base price of INR 30 lakh. Smaran has scored over 500 runs in seven first-class matches at an average of 64.50, including a double century against Punjab.
In List A cricket, he averages 72.16 from 10 matches with two centuries to his name, while his T20 strike rate of 170 from six games further showcases his potential in the shortest format.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have also made a squad addition, signing Mumbai batter Mhatre at the same base price of INR 30 lakh.
Zampa is not expected to return to competitive cricket until Australia’s T20I series against the West Indies in the Caribbean, scheduled for late July. Despite the latest setback, he remains an integral part of Australia’s build-up to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.
The Australian team is set to play 19 bilateral T20Is between July and February as part of its preparations for the tournament.
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