IPL 2019: 6 opening options for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad has been one of the most consistent teams in the IPL in the last few years. The Hyderabad based franchise has put a conscious effort into forming a well-balanced side with strong bench strength. The Sunrisers did well to reach the finals of IPL 2018 before losing against Chennai Super Kings. While Shikhar Dhawan was in fantastic form in IPL 2018, SRH struggled to find a suitable batting partner for him.

SRH clearly missed the destructive David Warner. Moreover, the team will no longer have the services of Dhawan who has been a pillar in SRH's batting for years now. The team has tried to compensate this by buying some quality opening batsmen at the auction.

Also, the team will be buoyed by the fact that their former captain David Warner will be available, at least for the first half of the tournament. We will look at all the opening options available to SRH in IPL 2019.

#6 Shreevats Goswami

Shreevats Goswami

Sunrisers Hyderabad's regular wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha got injured at the fag end of the tournament in IPL 2018 which gave an opportunity to Shreevats Goswami in the playing XI. Goswami scored 52 runs in 6 matches at an average of 17.33. However, he was retained by the Sunrisers for IPL 2019. Goswami, who won the 'Emerging Player of the season' award in 2008, can be used as an opener in case of unavailability of overseas openers.

#5 Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha was used excessively as an opener by the Sunrisers in IPL 2019. However, Saha squandered these opportunities and scored just 122 runs in 11 matches at a poor average of 15.25. He also missed a lot of matches due to injury. Even though Jonny Bairstow is in the side to do the wicket-keeping duties, he won't be available in the latter half of the tournament, which might open the doors for Saha.

#4 Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson had a phenomenal season with the bat last year. The Kiwi skipper was in top form and finished as the top run-getter of IPL 2018. Williamson batted with responsibility and was instrumental in SRH's journey to the final. Throughout the tournament, Williamson batted at the 3rd position in the batting order, but he has opened the innings on quite a few occasions in the previous seasons. He has also batted at that position for his national side and surely will be an option for SRH.

#3 Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill

Despite being one of the most feared openers in international cricket, for some unknown reason, Martin Guptill hasn't been able to light up the IPL. He has amassed only 189 runs in 10 matches at an average of 21, which is pretty low according to his own high standards. However, there are no doubts about Guptill’s big hitting abilities and he will surely be a huge plus for SRH.

#2 Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow

After remaining unsold at a number of IPL auctions, Jonny Bairstow finally got buyers at the auction for IPL 2019. Bairstow has been an integral part of England's team across formats. The 29-year-old will be keen to deliver in the IPL following the footsteps of his fellow Englishmen Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler. The fact that Jonny Bairstow is an exceptional wicket-keeper too makes his case of being part of the playing XI stronger.

#1 David Warner

David Warner

One of the biggest strength of Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2019 will be the return of David Warner. The Australian missed the entire season last year due to his ban. However, he is all set to make a comeback in IPL 2019. Warner is SRH's highest run-getter of all time and has played some scintillating innings for the team. He is going to be extremely crucial to Sunrisers' chances in IPL 2019.

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