The Sunrisers Hyderabad finished at the third rank in IPL 2020. Although they could not get off to a great start, the Sunrisers Hyderabad gained momentum in the second half of the tourney to qualify for the playoffs. Eventually, they lost to the Delhi Capitals in the 2nd Qualifier to settle at the third position.
The team management was happy with the squad’s performance, and they retained most of their players for the 2021 season. However, there are still some things that the Sunrisers Hyderabad need to work on in the IPL Auction. They need some experience in their middle order. Also, the Hyderabad-based franchise does not have any Indian off-spin bowling options, while Abdul Samad is the only other leg-spinner in the team apart from Rashid Khan.
The Sunrisers’ major focus will be to strengthen their bench strength, so that in case there are any injuries, they do not need to sign last-minute replacements. Here are the five players Sunrisers Hyderabad could target in IPL Auction 2021.
5. Harbhajan Singh
As mentioned ahead, the Sunrisers Hyderabad do not have much variety in their spin-bowling attack. Mohammad Nabi is the only top-quality off-spin bowling option available for SRH.
They need off-spinners to trouble the left-handed batsmen of the opposition. Harbhajan Singh could be a fantastic addition to SRH. He can form a brilliant partnership with Rashid Khan and wreck the opposition lineups.
4. Piyush Chawla
Rashid Khan is the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s premier leg-spin bowling option. All-rounder Abdul Samad is the only other player in the SRH squad who bowls right-arm leg-spin.
Thus, SRH might go after Piyush Chawla in the auction. Chawla has much experience under his belt. He has played for the Kings XI Punjab, the Kolkata Knight Riders, and the Chennai Super Kings. Also, he has been a part of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad.
3. Shivam Dube
The Sunrisers Hyderabad team management has clarified that they will prefer youth over experience when it comes to the middle-order batsmen. Last year, they gave opportunities to Abdul Samad, Priyam Garg, and Abhishek Sharma.
Virat Singh is another option available with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. They could add more firepower to the squad by signing Shivam Dube. Dube can be a back-up for Vijay Shankar, who will be the team’s number one Indian all-rounder.
2. Shoaib Mohammed Khan
Shoaib Mohammed Khan had an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season with the Andhra squad recently. Khan is a right-arm off-spin bowler who can also bat in the lower order.
In four matches for Andhra, Khan scalped two wickets, with his economy rate being 5.61. In case SRH wants to invest in rising stars, they can bid for this 29-year-old Andhra spinner.
1. Jhye Richardson
The Sunrisers Hyderabad released Australian pace bowler Billy Stanlake ahead of IPL Auction 2021. While they have many Indian options in their fast-bowling attack, SRH might not mind adding a foreign option.
Jason Holder did a commendable job in the previous season, but SRH should have a back-up option. Australian pacer Jhye Richardson could play that role. He is in red-hot form right now, with 27 wickets to his name in 14 matches of BBL 2020-21.
