IPL 2019: Strongest possible XI for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Yet another exhilarating IPL auction came to an end on Tuesday. The teams have done their best to fill in the gaps in their squads for the upcoming season. One team that seems to have covered every base is Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The Sunrisers have been one of the most consistent sides in the IPL in the last 3 years. In 2016, they won their maiden IPL title under the leadership of David Warner, while they reached the playoffs in 2017. In IPL 2018, they reached the finals only to be defeated by the mighty Chennai Superkings.

Even though they had a successful campaign last year, the Sunrisers made big changes in the squad. They let go the experienced Shikhar Dhawan in the IPL trade window, while they released the likes of Carlos Brathwaite, Alex Hales and Wriddhiman Saha.

Sunrisers Hyderabad has been shrewd when it comes to bidding for players at the auctions in the past and they continued that trend this year too.

The Hyderabad based franchise was quite clear about the players they wanted in their side and spent their purse accordingly. At the end of it all, they look like one of the most balanced sides for IPL 2019.

We will look at the strongest XI that SRH can field in IPL 2019.

#1 David Warner

David Warner

After a year in exile, David Warner will be back in the IPL. The Australian opener has been fantastic for SRH over the years and led them to their first IPL title in 2016. Warner has scored 2579 runs in 59 matches at an outstanding average of 52.63 and a staggering strike-rate of 147.70.

Warner missed IPL 2018 because of the ban imposed on him by Cricket Australia but will be available this year. Also, in the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, Sunrisers will be banking on the southpaw for providing attacking starts to the team. In Warner's absence, Martin Guptill can fill in his shoes.

#2 Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha

After being released before the auctions, Wriddhiman Saha was bought back by the Sunrisers at the auction. Saha, who is considered to be the best gloveman in the country, had a decent IPL 2018 for the Sunrisers. Unfortunately, he got injured in the latter half of tournament and is out of action since then, Saha is expected to be fit by the time IPL begins. And even though Johnny Bairstow will be around to give him tough competition, with Warner, Williamson, Shakib and Rashid slotting in as the four overseas players, Saha is likely to be preferred behind the stumps.

#3 Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson

Very few people gave Sunrisers a chance last season after it was confirmed that David Warner would miss the IPL. However, Kane Williamson replaced Warner in every regard. Apart from his leadership acumen, the Kiwi skipper had a breakthrough season with the bat. He finished with 735 runs in 17 matches and played some stunning knocks in the season. Williamson, once again, will be key to SRH's chances this year too. And even though Warner is back in the side, in all likeliness, he will continue leading the team.

#4 Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey was bought by the Sunrisers at an eye-popping amount of 11 crore rupees. Keeping in mind his past record, Pandey was expected to play a huge role in SRH's campaign in IPL 2018. But unfortunately, Pandey had a horrible time with the bat. Even though Pandey made 284 runs in the season, he failed to produce the kind of innings that was expected from him and thus it was expected that SRH won't retain the Karnataka batsman for IPL 2019. But they have shown faith in Pandey and retained him for the upcoming season. The 29-year-old will be keen to put the poor performance of last season behind and deliver for SRH this time around.

#5 Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar will be back in SRH colours after spending a year with Delhi Daredevils. Shankar had a fabulous season with the bat with Delhi Daredevils as he scored 212 runs at an impressive average of 53. Moreover, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder has been in good form playing for India A off late. Shankar scored 188 runs in the recently concluded ODI series against New Zealand A. He can also provide an extra bowling option to the Sunrisers.

#6 Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan is an experienced T20 cricketer. The Bangladesh all-rounder, who previously played for Kolkata Knight Riders, did exceedingly well for the Sunrisers in IPL 2018. Shakib proved to be a perfect ally for Rashid Khan and strangled the opposition batsmen in the middle overs. However, he would like to contribute more with the bat this time around. Shakib might be available only till 15th of April, in which case Afghanistan's Mohd Nabi can replace him in the playing XI.

#7 Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda

There will be a toss-up between Yusuf Pathan and Deepak Hooda for the role of the finisher in the side. After helping Sunrisers cross the line against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2018, Deepak Hooda failed to live up to expectations. On the other hand, even though Yusuf Pathan was nowhere near his belligerent best, he did play some crucial innings in the latter half of the tournament. However, Hooda wasn't released by the franchise which shows the amount of trust the team management has in the youngster and he might beat his Baroda teammate for a place in the playing XI.

#8 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan stamped his authority as the leading spinner in T20 cricket in the IPL last season. The young Afghan won matches single-handedly for the Sunrisers and was a major reason for them defending low totals consistently. Rashid has continued his good form while playing for his national side and in other T20 leagues since then. Apart from his impeccable bowling, Rashid has enhanced his reputation as a hard-hitting lower-order batsman and will look to contribute more with the bat for the Sunrisers.

#9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a mediocre season in IPL 2018 according to his own high standards. Bhuvi has emerged as the leader of the Sunrisers' bowling-attack and has been extremely effective with the new ball and in the death. However, he suffered a back injury in IPL 2018 and his participation was restricted to 12 matches. However, Bhuvi has regained full fitness once again and will be Sunrisers' go-to man.

#10 Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a handsome amount of 3 crores for IPL 2018. But with pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Billy Stanlake, Siddarth Kaul and Sandeep Sharma around, Khaleel played just a solitary match, that too in the final, in the entire tournament. However, after his impressive debut for team India in the Asia Cup, the left-arm pacer is bound to start in the playing XI and will get more chances to showcase his talent.

#11 Siddarth Kaul

Siddharth Kaul

With Bhuvneshwar Kumar not being at his best, one bowler who put his hand up and shouldered the responsibility on the fast-bowling front for Sunrisers was Siddharth Kaul. The Punjab pacer had an excellent season ending with 21 wickets in 17 matches. Owing to his terrific season for the Sunrisers, Kaul made it to the national side. And even though the 28-year-old failed to deliver for India, his skills as an able death bowler makes him a handy operator in the IPL.