After a difficult three years, they finished fourth in a row Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament table, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Made a remarkable revival in IPL 2024 and finished second.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Aiming to buy in IPL 2025
The franchise’s turnaround can largely be attributed to its astute management AustraliaTest and ODI captain, Pat Cumminswho replaced Aiden Markram as a captain. Under Cummins’ leadership, SRH adopted an ultra-aggressive brand of cricket that not only revived the team’s morale but also led them to an impressive second-place finish in the league. They overcame a shaky start in which they lost two of their first three games, winning eight of their 14 matches. However, a four-match winning streak allowed them to break several batting records and reach a point in the finals. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
With the IPL 2025 mega auction on the horizon, SRH is faced with a crucial player retention decision. The new rules allow franchises to retain only six players — up to five capped and a maximum of two. With the stakes higher than ever, here’s a closer look at six players SRH could retain to boost their IPL 2024 success.
SRH can retain 6 players before IPL 2025:
1. Travis Head
Head of Travis He has emerged as the cornerstone of SRH’s batting line-up in IPL 2024. Bought for INR 6.80 crore, the Australian left-hander quickly adapted to the T20 format and took the league by storm. Over 15 matches, he amassed an impressive 567 runs at an amazing strike rate of 191.55. His ability to pace the score and keep his cool under pressure has made him one of the most sought after players of the tournament.
Notable performances from the skipper included standout innings such as his 102 off 41 balls. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and two back-to-back 89s vs Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC). His explosive style and ability to break up bowling attacks early in the innings gave SRH a vital boost throughout the tournament. Keeping the head is important for SRH as his form and ability will be vital for their ambitions in IPL 2025.
2. Heinrich Klaasen
South African goalkeeper Heinrich Klaasen It cemented its match-winner status for SRH. Joining the franchise for INR 5.25 crore, Klaasen’s contributions have been vital in crucial situations, especially in IPL 2024. In 16 matches, he scored 479 runs at an average of 39.92 and a strike rate of 171.07 including 4 half-centuries.
Klaasen’s ability to change the course of the game with his aggressive hitting style makes him a standout player. His exceptional form carried over from the previous season when he scored 448 runs in 12 matches and showed consistency. SRH would be reluctant to drop Klaasen given his ability to move through high-pressure scenarios and his ability to change the game with explosive shots.
3. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma’s emergence as a standout player for SRH has been particularly notable in IPL 2024. The young left-hander played in all 16 matches and scored 484 runs at an amazing strike rate of 204.21. His ability to provide explosive starts, especially in partnership with Travis Head, has been invaluable for SRH.
The combination of Head and Abhishek flourished, contributing to a three-century partnership, including a remarkable 167* against LSG. Abhishek’s power-hitting prowess was highlighted as he won the award for hitting the most sixes (42) in the season. His youthful energy and aggressive batting make him an important player to retain as he promises to be a game changer for SRH in the upcoming tournaments.
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4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Despite facing some criticism over his performance, the veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar Remains an important element of SRH’s bowling attack. His experience and skills were on full display in IPL 2024 where he took 12 wickets in 12 matches. One of his standout moments came when he defended against two runs Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the final delivery against Rovman Powelldemonstrates his prowess in pressure situations.
Bhuvneshwar’s ability to execute yorkers and bowl effectively at the death makes him an integral part of SRH’s strategy. His leadership and knowledge of the game is a valuable resource for the younger players in the squad. Given his experience and expertise, Bhuvneshwar is likely to look to strengthen the bowling line-up for SRH IPL 2025.
5. Aiden Markram
Although Aiden MarkramHis leadership in IPL 2023 has come into question, his versatility and immense talent cannot be overlooked. The South African international is capable of playing multiple roles in the batting order and offers stability to the line-up. 220 in 11 innings during the season, but his experience and strategic thinking make him a valuable player for the team.
Markram’s previous experience as a captain adds an element of strategic depth to SRH’s plans, even if he is not leading the side. His ability to adapt and contribute to various positions in the batting order makes him a player they would be wise to retain, ensuring that SRH have a mix of leadership and skill in their lineup for the upcoming season.
6. Abdul Samad (No cover)
Abdul Samad is a young talent who has been with SRH for several seasons and shows considerable promise. Retained ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, Samad has gradually established himself as a reliable player. In IPL 2024, he has featured in all 16 matches and boasts of 577 runs from 50 matches at a strike rate of 146.08.
Known for his powerful hitting ability, Samad’s skills make him an invaluable asset to the SRH squad. He has the potential to end games with his big batting prowess and is seen as a key component of SRH’s batting depth going forward. His retention would provide SRH with a dynamic option to rush the scores at critical stages of the game.
