IPL: SRH's greatest overseas XI of all time

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have had a fairly successful time as part of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Orange Army, which replaced the Deccan Chargers for the 2013 IPL season, won the coveted trophy after just three years by defeating the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2016 final.

Apart from the world-class Indian players like Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, SRH have also had many quality overseas players who have grown to become faces of the franchise.

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SRH's greatest overseas XI of all time in the IPL

Look who's on his way to UAE 😍🧡#OrangeArmy #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/ULHyOXOLps

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) September 3, 2020

The IPL states that no more than four foreigners can be part of a team's playing XI, but we throw caution to the wind and attempt to assemble the greatest overseas side in SRH history.

Note: Only players from SRH (and not Deccan Chargers) have been considered, which is why most players haven't featured in as many games as those in other teams of this series.

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Openers: David Warner (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk)

This is perhaps the most destructive opening partnership that can be seen in the 2020 IPL

SRH captain David Warner is the leading overseas run-scorer in IPL history, so his inclusion on this list won't come as a surprise at all. The Australian, who led SRH to their only IPL title in 2016, has scored 3,271 runs in 71 games at an outrageous average of 55.44, with a whopping 34 fifties apart from 2 hundreds.

His opening partner Jonny Bairstow hasn't played nearly as many games, but he makes it into this XI owing to the incredible impact he has had on the IPL and his compatibility with Warner. In just 10 games for the side, the Englishman has scored 445 runs at an average of 55.63.

Warner and Bairstow will open the innings for SRH in the 2020 IPL as well, and will be crucial to the team's fortunes.

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Middle Order: Kane Williamson, Moises Henriques

Kane Williamson might not be a regular in the SRH playing XI during IPL 2020

The presence of Warner and Bairstow might mean that Kane Williamson is relegated to the bench in IPL 2020, but the former SRH captain is certainly one of the greatest players to have featured for the side. In 41 games, the New Zealand skipper has managed 1,302 runs at an average of 38.29, and has won many games for the side single-handedly.

Not picking Williamson as the captain is a controversial choice, but Warner winning the IPL with SRH and his stature at the franchise tilt the scales in his favour.

Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques comes in at No. 4 in this all-time SRH overseas XI. The Portugal-born cricketer featured in 42 games for the side, and scored 755 runs while also picking up 28 wickets. He adds solidity and experience to the middle order of this side, and can also chip in with a few overs.

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Spin-bowling all-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi is in splendid form in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League

Shakib Al Hasan was released by SRH after receiving a ban from the ICC for failing to report the approach of bookies, but he was certainly a world-class performer for the side. In 20 games, the Bangladesh all-rounder scored 248 runs and picked up 16 wickets in the IPL.

While these numbers aren't mind-boggling, he perhaps wasn't used to the fullest by the SRH management, and often batted down the order and didn't complete his quota of overs in all games. Shakib is one of 3 quality spinners in this all-time overseas SRH XI.

Mohammad Nabi is another player who hasn't been a regular for SRH in the IPL but whenever he has been called upon, he has delivered superbly. In just 13 games for SRH, the Afghanistan all-rounder has scored 135 runs and picked up 11 wickets, and has bowled economically in the powerplay.

He has been in excellent form for the St. Lucia Zouks in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League, where he is playing under the man who is next in this XI.

Fast-bowling all-rounders: Daren Sammy, Thisara Perera

Daren Sammy is the only West Indian in this all-time SRH overseas XI

St. Lucia Zouks captain Daren Sammy is one of the fast-bowling all-rounders in this all-time overseas XI. The former West Indian captain played 20 games for SRH, and scored 282 runs while picking up 11 wickets. Again, although his numbers don't lend weight to his inclusion in this side, his leadership and ability to win matches single-handedly make him a must-have in this side.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera has had a journeyman IPL career, and his most successful spell in the tournament came at SRH. He picked up 19 wickets and scored 233 runs in the 16 games that he played for the Orange Army, his best return for any side that he has played for in the IPL.

With him being a southpaw and a destructive hitter, Perera is a shoo-in in this all-time overseas XI.

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Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Dale Steyn, Mustafizur Rahman

Rashid Khan is one of the biggest match-winners in the IPL

Perhaps the biggest match-winner in the SRH squad at the moment, mystery spinner Rashid Khan is the lead bowler in this all-time overseas XI. The Afghanistan captain has picked up 55 wickets in 46 games for SRH, and has grown increasingly handy with the bat in hand as well.

Dale Steyn is undoubtedly SRH's greatest overseas pacer of all time, with 33 wickets in 37 games at an economy rate of 6.90. The South African great lends experience and aggression to this XI, and will play for RCB in IPL 2020.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman makes this team despite having played only 17 games, over the course of which he picked up 17 wickets. He burst onto the scene in SRH's title-winning 2016 campaign with his vast array of slower balls and cutters, although his career has waned a touch since.

Being a left-armer, Rahman also adds variety to this strong SRH bowling attack.