Sunrisers Hyderabad have built a reputation for being one of the smartest bidders during the IPL auctions ever since their inception in 2013. Instead of buying the players with a superstar image for T20 cricket, they have always focussed on getting the utility players together to build their core. And as always, Tom Moody and SRH team management have once again built a strong squad without many box-office players.
Sunrisers have build a squad with one of the strongest core of Indian players, a core so strong that they might not even need to field 4 overseas players to complete their XI.
Doing justice to his role in international cricket, Shikhar Dhawan opened the auction and the Sunrisers camp used the RTM card for him. Kane Williamson, their other overseas batsman who was excellent for them last season might have to sit out as Manish Pandey is expected to be their first choice number 3.
All-rounders like Yusuf Pathan, Deepak Hooda, Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Nabi were bought for their base price of INR 2 crores and 1 crore respectively. Sunrisers have taken care of both, middle order and their all-round department with such an impressive lineup of all-rounders.
Known for his flawless glovework, Wriddhiman Saha will be their first choice wicket-keeper. Also, as a batsman, he is someone who can be used anywhere in the batting order from number 1 to 7 given the situation of the game.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s second RTM card was a no-brainer as they got back the services of their ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan. With that, they got back 4 of their top players from the previous season in him, Warner, Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Last but not the least, SRH has also set up a pace bowling factory by picking some of the finest fast bowlers in India’s domestic circuit.
Sandeep Sharma has already earned his international cap, Siddharth Kaul has made it to India’s squad and Basil Thampi is already on selectors’ radar. All of them can bowl immaculate yorkers at the death and it will be interesting to see which two of them will get the first chance to shoulder the fast bowling duties with Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
In addition to these, SRH also have some decent backup ready in the form of Chris Jordan, Carlos Brathwaite and Billy Stanlake. Kane Williamson can get up from the bench and perform anytime for them in case they are not happy with the things at top of the batting order.
Overall, it feels like Sunrisers Hyderabad have ticked all the boxes. They have covered all the departments for every kind of pitches. If they do justice to their potential again, there is no reason why Sunrisers Hyderabad cannot make it to the top 4 for the 3rd year in a row.
Better they will aim to win the tournament in an encore of IPL 2016.
Possible First Choice XI:
David Warner (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Deepak Hooda, Mohammad Nabi, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, Siddharth Kaul
