IPL 2018: Homecoming for these SRH players who were a part of KKR once

After a thrilling last-ball finish in their previous game against Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad are now at the top of the able. SRH would want to continue their winning streak in their next game that will be played on April 14 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

While it is an away game, there are few players in the SRH squad for whom it will be a homecoming as they previously played for KKR.

Shakib Al Hasan

The 31-year-old all-rounder from Bangladesh became a household name when he made his IPL debut in 2011. In the seven seasons that he represented KKR, he made vital contributions that helped the team win the championship twice in 2012 and 2014. He made 543 runs in 36 innings and took 44 wickets in 48 innings for his previous franchise.

KKR’s present squad lacks good foreign players and there are injury concerns as well. Had Hasan not been sold to SRH for 2 crores, his services would have been useful for KKR again.

Yusuf Pathan

Another all-rounder who played for KKR (2011-17) is Yusuf Pathan. The T20 specialist made a name for himself when he scored a century from 37 balls for Rajasthan Royals in 2010. In the next auctions, he was drafted in the KKR squad and went on to play for them until the start of this season. In 103 innings for KKR, he scored 2061 runs at a strike rate of 135.91 and took 39 wickets in 56 innings.

Pathan has won the championship thrice. His first win came with the Rajasthan Royals in 2008 while the other two were with KKR in 2012 and 2014. It was Pathan’s blistering knock of 72 from 22 balls that helped KKR to make it to the playoffs in 2014.Interestingly, the batting blitz came against SRH. Maybe that's why the SRH management wanted him in their camp this season so that he doesn't pull off another repeat.

Manish Pandey

Pandey has been consistent in the short format of the game for his franchises as well as the Indian team. While KKR management wanted to retain his services, SRH took the bid to a whopping 11 crores that made it hard for KKR to match.

After playing for three franchises – Mumbai Indians (2008), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2009-10) and Pune Warriors India (2011-13) – he was included in the KKR squad (2014-17). Who can forget Pandey's batting in the 2014 finals against Punjab where he scored 94 runs from 50 balls and helped KKR win their second title.

Overall, Pandey has scored 1442 runs in 57 innings for KKR. It would be interesting to see if he makes his former team pay for not retaining him.

Wriddhiman Saha and Sreevats Goswami have also been a part of KKR. Saha began his IPL career with the franchise and played three seasons (2008-10), while Goswami played for KKR in 2011. Having been born in Bengal, Eden Gardens is the home ground for both these cricketers.

Although Goswami won’t be included in the playing XI, SRH has four key players who will be playing in front of the crowd that once rooted for them.