Explosive Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Aniket Verma left everyone stunned with a brilliant batting display during the IPL 2025 encounter against Delhi Capitals on Sunday. The young talent smashed 74 off just 41 deliveries, peppering the boundaries with five fours and six towering sixes. His fearless approach was on full display, as he continued his aggressive stroke play despite SRH losing wickets at regular intervals.
Aniket had already made an impression in the IPL with a fiery 35-run knock against Lucknow Super Giants, but on Sunday, he looked in sublime form. With SRH’s top-order struggling on a tricky pitch, his innings became even more crucial in giving the team a respectable total.
A Journey from Jhansi to the IPL Spotlight
Born in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Aniket Verma honed his skills in Madhya Pradesh, where he played most of his competitive cricket. His rise to prominence came in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League, where he emerged as the top scorer, amassing 273 runs in just six matches for Bhopal Leopards. His most eye-catching innings in the tournament was an explosive 123 off just 41 balls.
Aniket has also impressed at the U-23 level, where he smashed a stellar 101 off 75 deliveries against Karnataka. However, his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign was less memorable, as he played only one game and was dismissed for a golden duck.
Despite the ups and downs, his talent was undeniable, leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to secure his services for Rs 30 lakh in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Aspirations and Learnings from the Best
Aniket has big dreams and looks up to some of the greatest cricketers for inspiration. In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, he shared his desire to meet Hardik Pandya and learn about fitness, bat flow, and power-hitting. He also expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli’s on-the-rise flick, Rohit Sharma’s pull shot, and Rishabh Pant’s innovative flick. Additionally, he hopes to gain insights on patience and game awareness from MS Dhoni and learn the art of reading batsmen from Jasprit Bumrah.
A Fighting Knock in a Tough Contest
Despite Aniket’s heroics, SRH struggled to post a big total as Delhi Capitals’ bowlers dominated the proceedings. Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 5 for 35, while Kuldeep Yadav continued his fine form with 3 for 22. SRH was bundled out for 163 in 18.4 overs.
Aniket’s valiant knock, supported by Heinrich Klaasen’s 32 off 19 balls, gave SRH a fighting chance, but Starc’s brilliant spell, including two wickets in three balls in the 19th over, cleaned up the tail.
While the result may not have gone in SRH’s favor, Aniket Verma’s fearless batting has certainly made him a player to watch out for in the remainder of IPL 2025.
