Pat Cummins led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to kick start their journey after losing the final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
SRH has only won one title in 2016 and after six years they made their final appearance last year. The team was on song when it came to batting as the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Henrich Klassen were the key players with the bat.
This year, too, SRH won’t miss the presence of Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy
Klassen, and Head as they are in the squad. Nevertheless, it seems that SRH may lack a local batter.
With Cummins missing out on Champions Trophy as the board was managing his injury, it is yet to be seen if the Australian captain will lead the franchise this year or not.
Squad:
Pat Cummins (c), Ishan Kishan, Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Aniket Verma, Sachin Baby, Henrich Klassen, Travis Head, Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis, Wiaan Mulder, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammad Shami, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga
Probable Playing XI:
Travis Head
Abhishek Sharma
Ishan Kishan
Heinrich Klaasen
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Abhinav Manohar
Pat Cummins
Adam Zampa
Jaydev Unadkat
Mohammed Shami
Harshal Patel
Impact Player options: Aniket Verma
Key players:
Heinrich Klaasen:
If not Klaasen, then who? He was the mainstay of the team last year as his ability to destroy spin is commendable. In his last season, he scored 224 runs at a strike rate of 182.11 against spinners in the last IPL and 264 runs at 191.30 in 2023. Since 2022, his strike rate against spin has been 163.61.
Sharma and Head:
Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head boast the highest T20 run rate since 2024, with an impressive 13.46. This dynamic duo has amassed 691 runs in IPL 2024, averaging 49.35. As SRH chase their first title since 2016, they’ll heavily rely on this explosive pair to set the tone and propel their team to victory.
Cummins:
Cummins’ amazing adaptability makes him an excellent dual threat, with impressive batting (61) and bowling (69) stats that solidify his position as one of the competition’s most valuable players.
His remarkable bowling abilities, particularly in the middle overs, give him a significant advantage during a key stage of a match, establishing him as a phase specialist.
Cummins’ expertise and tactical savvy add significant value to SRH’s campaign, inspiring and guiding his team in addition to great statistical accomplishments.
Strengths
One of, if not the most explosive lineups, with the “Travishek” openers at the helm, followed by Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Weaknesses
Batting depth would be an issue, with inexperienced players such as Abhinav Manohar and Wiaan Mulder expected to fill the finishing responsibilities.
The bowling attack, which includes Mohammed Shami, Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, and Jaydev Unadkat, is experienced and diverse, but it is also known for being pricey.
Fixtures:
March 23: vs Rajasthan Royals
March 27: vs Lucknow SuperGiants
March 30: vs Delhi Capitals
April 3: vs Kolkata Knight Riders
April 6: vs Gujarat Titans
April 12: vs Punjab Kings
April 17: vs Mumbai Indians
April 23: vs Mumbai Indians
April 25: vs Chennai Super Kings
May 2: vs Gujarat Titans
May 5: vs Delhi Capitals
May 10: vs Kolkata Knight Riders
May 13: vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
May 18: vs Lucknow SuperGiants
From winning the IPL title in 2016 to their stunning return in 2024, when they shocked everyone by reaching the finals, SRH has consistently demonstrated their ability to produce when it matters. With a well-balanced roster, powerful hitters, and a formidable bowling attack, they have everything they need for a successful campaign.
