IPL 2019 Squad Analysis: Sunrisers Hyderabad

The team that always manages to fare pretty well and make it to the top four, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been one of the most consistent teams in the IPL. They are one side that has always had one of the deadliest bowling attacks, if not the deadliest of all! With the likes of Dale Steyn, Trent Boult, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mustafizur Rahman, Rashid Khan, Ashish Nehra and etc. having played for them, SRH have always found their strength in bowling.

They suffered a big blow in 2018, when David Warner, their captain, who had successfully led them to a title victory in 2016, was found guilty in the ugly ball-tampering scandal. Warner was not only banned from International cricket by Cricket Australia for a year but also disallowed to participate in the IPL. It was being seen as a major setback in SRH's preparation plans towards IPL 2018.

Warner had always led from the front for SRH and was one of the finest captains as well as batsmen in the IPL

The franchise and its stakeholders had already prepared their squads in the auction and now, losing their opening batsman, captain, and marquee player in just one go was seemingly disastrous!

It was then, that SRH decided to rope in England opening batsman Alex Hales, who again, failed to impress with just 148 runs in six innings, without a single fifty and at an average of just above 24 runs.

However, what came as a surprise package was Kane Williamson, who led the side unexpectedly well, and not only finished as the side's best batsman, but the IPL's best batsman as he received the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs in the season.

Kane Williamson led the side to the Final in his debut year as Captain and also scored the maximum runs

Williamson, who had always been a semi-season batsman, whom Warner would not make a regular in the XI due to his inconsistency, broke through all the shackles and barriers, as he smashed 735 runs in just 17 matches, striking at 142.5 runs per 100 balls. It was the year we all got to see the real Kane Williamson.

It would be interesting to see how SRH fare in the 2019 IPL when they will have both David Warner and Kane Williamson play for them together. They are sure to wreak havoc with the bat, being a traditionally bowling-powered lineup, we can expect them to do outstandingly well with the bat as well.

Looking at the recent retentions, releases and trades, and the much talked about IPL Auction, let us look at what else might the SRH be looking forward to doing towards the 2019 IPL.

While SRH will enjoy the services of Warner and Kane simultaneously, they will miss their domestic superstar, Shikhar Dhawan, who moved to Delhi Capitals

The Releases

SRH made a smart move by releasing Wriddhiman Saha, who was previously being paid a hefty ₹5 crore while his contribution with the bat was under serious question, and no matter how great a keeper he may be, if he doesn't score with the bat, the amount is just too exorbitant.

They bought him back this year at a very affordable ₹1.2 crore, which makes their stand clear that they are looking at a world-class wicketkeeping option irrespective of his batting abilities.

Saha has looked below par with the bat ever since after he scored the flawless hundred in IPL 2014 Final

SRH have also gotten rid of Carlos Braithwaite, who was nothing but overly ordinary for them in 2018, and they would not be much in need of any more all-rounders in the presence of Mohammad Nabi, Shakib and Yusuf Pathan.

They have rightly said goodbye to the English pair of Alex Hales and Chris Jordan, who had been unable to add any value to the side, especially considering their salary tags of ₹1 crore each.

What might come as a surprise to fans is the release of Shikhar Dhawan, one of the backbones of the side, who was traded out for the talented trio of Vijay Shankar, Shahbaz Nadeem and Abhishek Sharma. It might have triggered a sad response from fans, but solely looking at the deal from a business point of view, it seems to be a masterstroke!

Vijay Shankar is a very good middle order batsman who can also bowl a few overs of seam in between, Shahbaz Nadeem is one of the best left-arm spinners in the Indian domestic circuit, has tons of IPL experience. Abhishek Sharma is an exciting talent from the U19 setup. All in all, SRH have made themselves a great deal here if they able to get the best out of the newbies.

The purchases and the X-factor

Guptill, on his day, can make the bowlers pay largely

The auction was not very eventful for the Sunrisers, who only added Guptill and Bairstow to their squad, and re-acquired Wriddhiman Saha.

One steal buy that SRH seems to have made this year is Martin Guptill at his base price of ₹1 crore. He has been above average for New Zealand and is a good backup for either of David Warner and Kane Williamson.

Guptill has the ability to hit the big shots pretty often and also construct big innings and will be enjoying the company of his national captain and teammate Kane Williamson.

Sunrisers have looked to retain their core team this year, only letting Dhawan go and acquiring Guptill as well as England's Jonny Bairstow. What does look interesting is the new raw talent that they have.

The X-factor, however, remains in the fortunes of their raw talent. They have high-quality domestic talent in the likes of Vijay Shankar (bat and seam), Abhishek Sharma (bat and spin), Shahbaz Nadeem (spin), Deepak Hooda (bat) and Khaleel Ahmed (seam) and that can do wonders for them.

Khaleel Ahmed has looked quite promising for India so far and could make the cut for India's 2019 World Cup squad

Most of these players are expected to represent the National side very soon, if not represented yet, and that is what makes their pool of players all the more exciting.

The probable playing XI

Looking at the way they have performed this Auction, let us have a look at who all might be part of their starting playing XI.

#1 David Warner

Warner can and has won matches for SRH single-handedly

The man who took SRH to new heights and who has been the flagbearer of their batting prowess, Warner will be the most definite choice to open the innings for Hyderabad. The team would be banking on him to play valuable big innings for them as he has played in the past as well.

#2 Wriddhiman Saha (WK)

Saha is arguably one of the world's best wicket-keepers

Saha would probably have to open alongside Warner, and with Captain Kane ready to walk in at number 3, Saha would be absolute pressure free. This would give him the much-needed freedom to play as he wishes to. Saha could do well at the top, given his history of above par batting for KXIP, when he used to bat at number 3.

#3 Kane Williamson (C)

Kane Williamson

Another captain cool, Kane showed his class with the bat as he lifted the Orange Cap for most runs and led his side to the final last year. Kane took complete responsibility of the side in the absence of Warner and that makes him the best bet at number 3.

#4 Manish Pandey

Pandey failed to replicate his KKR form in SRH and left his fans disappointed

The India regular T20 batsman had a forgettable IPL 2018, where he failed to deliver at crucial junctures. Pandey did show some vigour towards the end of the season, but his overall performance was utterly unbecoming of someone who represents his country in the same format. He would look to regain momentum with the bat this season.

#5 Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar has been in the selectors' radar for National selection for a while now

Shankar might not have been able to win matches for Delhi in 2018, but he did show potential with the bat. He has done well for SRH in the past, and the team would want to utilize the value he adds to the side, including the seam bowling option.

#6 Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf has plenty of IPL and other T20 experience, which can come handy throughout the season

Pathan had an ordinary 2018 IPL, but we all know what he can do on his day. He is a very handy finisher, can hit sixes at will and also provides an off-spin bowling option on turning wickets. Pathan is a must at number 6.

#7 Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek is also one of the many U19 stars who impressed one and all in 2018 IPL

Sharma has been excellent for India U19 and won many hearts when he smashed 46 runs off just 19 balls for Delhi in 2018. He is the future of Indian cricket and SRH must make full use of his talent. Apart from finishing off innings with big hits, Sharma also bowls left-arm orthodox, something that will benefit the side greatly, as most teams have a number of right-handed batsmen.

#8 Rashid Khan

The young man from Afghanistan is the undisputed best T20 bowler in the world

Can we ever imagine a side having this man and not playing him? Noooo! Rashid Khan walks in at number 8 with the ability to slam colossal sixes and do what not with the ball? The seeming magician with the ball is certain to scalp a lot of wickets and deceive batsmen.

#9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvi missed quite a bit of IPL 2018 and looked way less effective than his usual self

India's first choice new ball bowler has looked off colour of late and would want to be in rhythm prior to the 2019 World Cup. Thus, Bhuvi would look to be back in old IPL form, when he used to be a top contender for the purple cap.

#10 Billy Stanlake

Stanlake uses his height to his advantage while bowling fast

The Aussie fast-bowler has been phenomenal for his side in the Big Bash League. He missed most of IPL 2018, owing to an injury, but can do wonders for SRH if he plays throughout and therefore, is a must include.

#11 Siddarth Kaul or Shahbaz Nadeem

Siddharth Kaul (left) and Shahbaz Nadeem (right)

A tricky one. This will depend on the nature of the pitch. If it is expected to be a turner, no harm playing a third spinner in the form of Nadeem, the first two being Rashid and Abhishek. However, if the wicket is slightly more seam-inclining, Kaul could be a better pick. Shankar, however, will remain the third seaming option. Let's talk about both one by one.

Siddarth Kaul

Kaul: Deserving or just a fluke?

Kaul has seen everything in 2018, right from bowling exceptionally well and being a purple cap contender to being selected for India, to being rendered ineffective and then being dropped. He would be playing to make a comeback to the national side and try and stay this time.

Shahbaz Nadeem

Nadeem: So close yet so far...

Nadeem has been a seasoned campaigner, someone who has always been just a step or two away from national selection. Shahbaz has been playing IPL for quite some time and has learned a lot from the best in the business.

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Possible replacements

As mentioned before, Guptill can replace either of Warner and Kane Williamson as and when required.

Shakib can come in to replace Billy Stanlake, and play in place of Shankar, Yusuf or Sharma while Kaul or Khaleel or Sandeep Sharma could take the seamer's spot.

Deepak Hooda can play in place of any of the number 5 to 7 batsman.