IPL 2018: 3 batsmen who can open with Shikhar Dhawan in Warner's absence

IPL 11 is around the corner, and the excitement levels have reached a new high. Every team has been analyzed a thousand times by the cricket fans and pundits. Though there remains a franchise that has silently sneaked through all of that drama. It is SRH. Hyderabad franchise remains the least talked-about team.

Let's break the ice and talk something about SRH. This year, Hyderabad looked the most settled side until Warner's ban from the league. However, SRH still has a lot to ponder. Hyderabad seems a decent side with all the bases covered. The only matter of discussion for SRH is the vacant opening slot after Warner's way out from the league. Thus, let us have a look at four batsmen who can open the innings for SRH in the upcoming edition of IPL.

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#3 Tanmay Agarwal

Tanmay Agarwal was the part of SRH in 2017 as well

A left-handed batting prospect from Hyderabad, Tanmay Agarwal, won many accolades during the recent domestic season for his exceptional performances in all forms of the game. Tanmay happens to be a free-flowing confident batsman who can do wonders while playing in the top order.

While opening the innings for Hyderabad in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2018, Tanmay scored 151 runs at a decent average of 30.20 and an astonishing strike-rate of 145.19. Owing to his fabulous performance in SMAT 2018, Tanmay bagged a Rs. 20 lakhs deal with SRH for the upcoming edition of IPL. Thus, this time around, Tanmay might get a chance to open the innings for SRH.

T20 Numbers - Matches: 27 | Runs: 706 | Avg: 26.14 | S/R: 132.45

#2 Alex Hales

Alex Hales has been the part of MI squad before

Alex Hales is known for playing with a dash of adventurism. He is a clever top-order batsman who can depose the opposition with his swashbuckling strokeplay. At his very best, Hales is a powerful hitter of the white-ball who can clear the ropes with utmost ease. Interestingly, Alex Hales went unsold in the 2018 IPL Player Auctions. However, with Warner out from the league, Hales was announced as the replacement.

Alex happens to be the perfect fit for the opening slot. The prime reason for that would be his similarities (batting approach) with David Warner. Alex falls into the same league of batsmen of which Warner is the part. Thus, SRH might open with Alex Hales.

T20 Numbers - Matches: 174 | Runs: 4704 | Avg: 28.85 | S/R: 143.54

#1 Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson was appointed as the new captain after Warner's exclusion

Arguably New Zealand's one of the best batsmen, Kane Williamson has been the backbone of the New Zealand cricket team in all forms of the game. His exceptional talent includes the rare skill to play quality spin apart from being adept against fast bowling. Apart from being an able batsman, Kane is a fantastic captain too. Hence, the result of choosing him as the successor of David Warner.

Williamson's batting is a purists delight - what with his classy strokeplay blending nicely with his footwork and gritty temperament. Thus, with the absence of Warner, Kane might open for SRH in the upcoming edition of IPL. One more reason why Williamson might open for SRH is their densely occupied middle-order. With the likes of Manish Pandey, Shakib, Yusuf Pathan, Deepak Hooda, and Wriddhiman Saha in the middle-order, Williamson will have to play up the order, specifically in the opening slot.

T20 Numbers - Matches: 136 | Runs: 3073 | Avg: 26.72 | S/R: 118.01