At the recent Indian Premier league (IPL) 2024 Auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad made big moves to revamp their squad. Aiden Markram-led SRH had a tough IPL 2023, finishing at the bottom with just four wins in 14 matches. They spent big, acquiring Pat Cummins, the ODI World Cup-winning captain, for Rs 20.50 crore. Travis Head, the star of the World Cup final, also joined, strengthening their lineup for the upcoming season.
SRH seem to have achieved a well-rounded lineup post the IPL 2024 auction, positioning themselves as formidable contenders for the title. Ahead of the upcoming IPL season, let's have a loot at SRH's strongest possible XI:
Travis Head: Acquired for Rs 6.80 crore, Travis Head, an aggressive top-order batsman, is set to open for SRH in the forthcoming IPL.
Mayank Agarwal: Though his previous season with SRH in 2023 was modest, Mayank Agarwal aims to impress in the upcoming season to catch the selectors' eye for the Indian team.
Rahul Tripathi: He would be determined to justify the Rs 8.50 crore investment after a lacklustre 2023, carrying high expectations.
Aiden Markram: Markram is likely to retain his spot despite leading SRH without substantial success in IPL 2023.
Heinrich Klaasen (WK): A standout performer in SRH's disappointing 2023, contributing 448 runs in 12 matches as a wicketkeeper-batsman.
Washington Sundar: Expected to provide powerplay bowling and aggressive batting after recovering from a 2023 hamstring injury.
Shahbaz Ahmed: Anticipated to feature in the side based on past IPL performances, bolstering SRH's squad after joining from RCB.
Pat Cummins (C): Signed for a whopping Rs 20.50 crore in the 2024 auction, Pat Cummins is expected to assume the franchise's captaincy. Cummins missed IPL 2023 due to workload management, yet to prove his IPL match-winning prowess despite international success.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The franchise's top wicket-taker, a two-time IPL Purple Cap winner, would be leading the bowling attack.
Umran Malik: Seeking a resurgence in IPL 2024 after a lacklustre 2023 despite his renowned pace.
T Natarajan: Key for SRH's bowling, provided he remains fit, especially in the death overs.
Impact Players: Abhishek Sharma, Mayank Markande, Abdul Samad, Anmolpreet Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, and Akash Singh are anticipated to play pivotal roles as impact players for the franchise in IPL 2024.
Backups: Retained players Glenn Phillips, Marco Jansen, Fazalhaq Farooqi, along with new acquisition Wanindu Hasaranga, offer viable backup options but may see limited opportunities due to overseas player limitations in the XI.