Despite starting the competition with a wooden spoon, the IPL franchise based out of Hyderabad has not done badly at the end of 13 years. With two trophies and multiple playoff qualifications, the Hyderabad-based squad has been one of the better teams in IPL.
However, with the resources in hand, the squad could have done better. Also, when it comes to following, the team hasn’t concentrated much. All of this must be attributed to the constant release of talented players.
In this article, we take a look at seven players who should have never been released by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Considering Deccan Chargers played very few seasons of IPL and are currently inactive, we would be focusing only on SRH.
1. Shikhar Dhawan
It was only a couple of seasons ago that SRH released Shikhar Dhawan. Ever since, Dhawan has been in form and was DC’s best batsmen in IPL 2020. SRH’s main problem has been the lack of Indian batsmen, and had Gabbar been there, the problem would have been solved. Also, with the likes of Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey around, Dhawan could have played more freely.
2. KL Rahul
KL Rahul was with SRH for a while before he was traded to RCB. Now, just imagine if KL was still there with SRH. The top-order would have been balanced, and they would have been title-contenders for every season. However, the franchise released him without giving many chances. KL has been the best batsmen in IPL for a few years now and is also developing himself as a captain. SRH could have had all of it if the management had thought better.
3. Ishant Sharma
After KKR released Ishant Sharma at the end of the third season, the Delhi pacer made his move towards Hyderabad. Although he was not successful, at that time and even now, Ishant is one of the best fast-bowlers in India. In fact, in recent years, Ishant’s bowling in the shorter format has improved, and he has also been an asset for the teams that he is representing now. Agreed that SRH possesses a good bowling unit, but it could have been better with Ishant in it.
4. Quinton de Kock
Although he does not wear the look of a power-hitter, QDK is a pure match-winner in the T20 format. He is a good reader of the game and adjusts himself very well according to the situation. Frankly speaking, for Mumbai Indians to win two consecutive seasons, it would have not been possible without the South African cricketer. If SRH had more patience with him, things could have been different for them at the moment.
5. Chris Lynn
Much like QDK, SRH also made a mistake by releasing Chris Lynn. The squad had him before the Aussie hit the peak of his career. At least QDK was close to the playing XI but Lynn was not even given a chance. Although they have brilliant overseas batsmen, it would have been a different ball-game had they retained and invested in players whom they procured at a low cost.
6. Trent Boult
One of the main reasons why Jasprit Bumrah was exceptional in IPL 2020 was because of his partnership with Trent Boult. The Kiwi pacer made inroads on multiple occasions in the powerplay and made excellent use of his variations at the death. Now, just imagine if Boult had been with SRH this season. The 2016-winners already have a good pace-battery, but with Boult, the impact could have been a lot better. Nevertheless, after such a performance, it is hard to imagine Boult playing for a different franchise, at least in the near future.
7. Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan was also a part of the SRH camp before he joined the other franchises. Although the influence he had was unsatisfactory, considering the team’s weakness in the middle-order, SRH must have kept hold of him. Had he remained, the XI would have been in perfect balance, and the batsmen at the top could have operated more freely.
