IPL 2018: Comprehensive team analysis and probable playing XIs

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Rashid Khan and Bhuvneshwar will be crucial for Sunrisers' chances in the tournament

Sunrisers Hyderabad look like the most balanced side of this year's IPL. Sunrisers Hyderabad were the smartest buyers at the auction as they not only managed to keep players from last year's team but also bought some highly effective T20 players.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad

David Warner, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan, Shakib Al Hasan, Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, Carlos Braithwaite, Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha, Rashid Khan, Ricky Bhui, Deepak Hooda, Siddharth Kaul, T Natarajan, Basil Thampi, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammad Nabi, Sandeep Sharma, Sachin Baby, Chris Jordan, Billy Stanlake, Tanmay Agarwal, Shreevats Goswami, Bipul Sharma, Mehdi Hasan

Batsmen - SRH retained David Warner before the auctions and acquired Shikhar Dhawan using the RTM card in the auction, thus forming the most threatening opening pair of the season. They also got back Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson and stylish India middle-order batsman Manish Pandey. They will also have the experience of Wriddhiman Saha, who has shown the ability to play match-winning cameos in the past. With players of such quality in the side, SRH can counter any bowling attack in the tournament.

All-rounders - SRH have a barrage of all-rounders at their disposal which makes them a top contender for the IPL title this year. Shakib Al Hasan, Carlos Braithwaite, Yusuf Pathan, Mohammad Nabi and Deepak Hooda have the potential to turn a match in their team's favour with their all-round abilities.

Bowling - In Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan, SRH have two of the best limited overs bowlers in the world right now. Bhuvneshwar and Rashid have been phenomenal for the franchise in the last couple of seasons and their performances this year will have a huge bearing on SRH's chances in the tournament. They have the strongest Indian contingent when it comes to fast bowlers. Siddharth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma, Basil Thampi, T Natarajan and Khaleel Ahmed have performed consistently well in the domestic circuit and will only strengthen the already potent bowling-attack.

Predicted playing XI - David Warner (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, Shakib Al Hasan, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Deepak Hooda, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddharth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma