SRH Face Early Setback as Carse's Injury Forces Change
Just when Sunrisers Hyderabad fans were getting excited for IPL 2025, the team has been hit with an early jolt. Brydon Carse, the English pace-bowling all-rounder, is officially out of the season after a toe injury went from bad to worse. Carse's setback happened at a tough time—he was representing England at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, and things unraveled after his match against Australia in Lahore. Not only did Carse have to withdraw from that tournament, but the timeline doesn't give his body any chance to recover for the IPL.
SRH had picked him up for ₹1 crore hoping for his all-round punch. The management, looking to quickly patch the hole, have now signed up South African Wiaan Mulder for ₹75 lakh as a straight replacement. Mulder may not have the IPL experience just yet, but he has built a solid resume in international cricket and comes in hot after making headlines at the Champions Trophy.
Wiaan Mulder Joins as a New Hope for SRH
So, who is Wiaan Mulder, and what does he offer to SRH? For starters, South African cricket followers know him well. The 26-year-old has notched up 18 Test matches, 25 ODIs, and 11 T20Is for the Proteas. He's not just hanging around—he has 970 international runs and 60 wickets to his name.
His recent touch with the ball makes him even more exciting. During the Champions Trophy, Mulder bagged six wickets and finished as South Africa's joint-top wicket-taker. That consistency is what SRH will hope translates to the Indian Premier League, where every all-rounder’s contribution can be the difference on the day.
Replacing an overseas player midstream isn’t ideal, especially after a runner-up finish in IPL 2024. Carse was expected to be a two-in-one package—fast bowling with the bat to back it up—so it’s now on Mulder to bring that same edge. He comes a tad cheaper than Carse, but what matters most is how quickly he can adapt to the IPL's unique pressures and crowd expectations.
SRH start their quest for the elusive title on March 23, facing off against Rajasthan Royals. The sudden shuffle puts pressure on the team to gel quickly, especially with a fresh face among the overseas contingent. The focus will be on whether Mulder can handle the IPL spotlight and slot into the plans without any disruptions. The answer will come fast, and SRH will hope their replacement strategy pays off before the tournament rolls into its business end.
