IPL 2020: 3 players who can replace Shakib Al Hasan at SRH

Sunrisers Hyderabad have released five players ahead of the IPL 2020, with three of those being Indian. The players released by SRH are Deepak Hooda, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib Al Hasan, Ricky Bhui and Martin Guptill.

The most prominent of these names is of course Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib has been a consistent performer for SRH over the last three seasons, but the ICC recently imposed a two-year ban (one year suspended) on him for breaching ICC's anti-corruption code. That means Shakib will not be able to play any form of cricket for one year and is not eligible to be a part of the IPL.

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Shakib was one of the pillars behind the success of the Sunrisers over the past three seasons. The all-rounder had his best IPL season in 2018 when he scored 239 runs and took 14 wickets in 17 matches. He also showed his class in the recently-concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, where he scored 606 runs and took 11 wickets in just eight games.

SRH will find it very difficult to replace a player like Shakib. However, there are a few names that they can look at to replace the former World No. 1 all-rounder.

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#3 Sean Williams

Sean Williams can be a very smart buy for SRH

One of the most underrated cricketers right now, Sean Williams can be an ideal replacement for Shakib. The Zimbabwean all-rounder has played over 38 T20 Internationals, in which he has scored 831 runs at a healthy strike rate of 130.32. With the ball, Williams has taken 32 wickets in the 38 games he has played for Zimbabwe.

Just like Shakib, Williams has the ability to bat up the order as well as lower down. He can play the big shots whenever required by the team too. Williams is currently No. 3 in the ICC rankings for T20I all-rounders.

Williams could be a very smart buy for SRH as a replacement for Shakib.

#2 Mahmudullah

Mahmudullah

Mahmudullah has a very similar profile to that of Shakib Al Hasan. The batting all-rounder has been one of the mainstays in the Bangladesh national team for the past decade. He has played 83 T20I games for Bangladesh, in which he has scored 1429 runs at a strike rate of more than 120. He also has 31 T20I wickets to his name.

Just like Shakib, Mahmudullah has the ability to bat according to the situation of the game. He can hit the big shots as well as stabilize the innings whenever required.

In the recently concluded T20 series against India, Mahmadullah captained the Bangladeshi side and played the role of finisher. He helped Bangladesh cross the line in the first match at Delhi.

Mahmudullah's maturity and experience would bring balance to SRH's middle order. The Bangladeshi all-rounder can be a like-for-like replacement for Shakib.

#1 James Neesham

James Neesham

James Neesham has previously represented Delhi and Kolkata in the IPL. However, due to recurring injuries, he failed to create a significant impact in the tournament.

The promising all-rounder showed his ability in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, where he scored 258 runs and took 15 wickets in the 10 games he played for New Zealand.

Neesham can play as the finisher in the team as he is capable of hitting big shots whenever required. In the recently concluded series against England, Neesham scored 65 runs in two innings batting lower down the order. He also took two wickets in the three games he played.

Neesham is a true all-rounder in every sense of the term. He played for Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL 2019, and while he failed to have much of an impact as a batsman, he did take 11 wickets in 10 matches.

Sunrisers' top order is well set with Jonny Bairstow, David Warner, Manish Pandey and Kane Williamson. A player like Neesham can provide them solidity in the middle order and help them finish the innings well.

SRH can look at Neesham as a long-term replacement for Shakib Al Hasan.