IPL 2019: SRH's strongest playing XI for their first game against KKR

Middle Order: Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan and Deepak Hooda

Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan

We've gotten so used to seeing Kane Williamson batting at No. 3 that it will take some time to adjust to the fact that Manish Pandey will now be playing that role.

Pandey didn't deliver last season but this year seems like it's going to be a good one for him. He won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with Karnataka and put in some good performances there.

Yusuf Pathan made a few good contributions towards the end of last season. His experience will be needed in the SRH middle order as that's the only thing that seems to be lacking at the moment. Pathan can also bowl if the team needs him to.

Deepak Hooda had a poor season last time around but will look to redeem himself with solid performances this year. He had a rather middling time with Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and India A before this, so he'll want to use every opportunity that comes his way.