IPL 2020: 5 Players who the Sunrisers Hyderabad should release before the IPL Auction

Sunrisers Hyderabad were at the center of attention right from the start of the season as the previously banned David Warner made his return to the Indian Premier League and did so with a bang. He combined really well with Jonny Bairstow at the top of the innings as the duo took apart bowling attacks at will. SRH did struggle after the two left for international duties but did manage to make it to the playoffs before losing to the Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator.

They won just 6 games out of 14 but managed to go through on Net Run Rate edging KKR and KXIP out in the process. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's lackluster performance with the ball and Kane Williamson's inability to bring back his past-season's form did hurt them in the playoffs. David Warner not only finished as SRH's highest run-scorer but won the Orange Cap for his mammoth 682 runs from just 12 games averaging 69.2 at a blistering strike-rate of 143.62.

With the ball, it was Rajasthan's left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed who showed tremendous fire and zest in his bowling and picked up most wickets for SRH. The pacer picked up 19 wickets from just 9 games at a great bowling average of 17.10.

But having won the IPL in 2016 and coming as runners-up in 2018, SRH certainly won't be satisfied with a 4th-place finish. They are a side known for taking the balance of their side very seriously and to address that, they might tinker with their squad quite a bit ahead of next season under the watchful eyes of new Head Coach Trevor Bayliss.

On that note, here are 5 players who SRH can release before the IPL Auction.

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#5 Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda had a poor season. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

This is a no-brainer, really. Deepak Hooda has been with the Sunrisers for 4 seasons now and the Baroda all-rounder hasn't delivered what he promised early in his IPL career. He made a smashing debut for RR noticeable for his high strike-rates and good ball-striking abilities to go with his miserly off-spin. But he hasn't delivered in either of the departments for SRH and was pretty much used as a filler in the middle order just to fill the 11th spot in the team sheet.

He also hasn't made too much impact in the domestic circuit and had a poor IPL 2019. He scored just 64 runs from 11 games last season with a high score of 20 and a poor strike-rate of 101.58. He also picked up just 1 wicket at a horrid economy rate of 10.50. With many other proper all-round options like Shakib al Hasan and Mohammad Nabi in the squad and other young talents waiting to be bought at the auction, it's time for SRH to let Hooda go.

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#4 Yusuf Pathan

It's time for SRH to let go of Yusuf. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

Yusuf Pathan is an IPL legend in his own right but his time under the spotlight has clearly come to an end after a couple of poor seasons. The 36-year old is doing a good job for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy but has sadly not been able to convert his domestic form into runs in the IPL. He scored just 40 runs in 10 matches last season at a poor strike-rate of 88.88 and bowled just 1 over last season.

Like Deepak Hooda, even he was used predominantly as a filler in the side and with exciting options like Abhishek Sharma in the side, it's time for both SRH and Yusuf Pathan to let go of each other.

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#3 Shahbaz Nadeem

Shahbaz Nadeem failed to create an impact. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

Shahbaz Nadeem has been known for his ability to keep the run-rate under check and that ability of his was one main reason why SRH agreed to swap him in along with 2 other players in place of Shikhar Dhawan. But, frankly, the left-arm spinner hailing from Jharkhand had a torrid time picking up just 2 wickets from 3 matches leaking runs at an economy rate of 10.00.

He was mostly used as an alternative to the injured Shakib Al Hasan and with the Bangladesh all-rounder set to feature in a full season again, Nadeem is unlikely to get a spot in the side. Also, young Abhishek Sharma had a much better season than Nadeem and even he bowls the same left-arm spin in addition to his whirlwind batting style. Hence, with much better options and the lack of results, Nadeem is likely to be on his way out.

#2 Siddharth Kaul

We didn't get to see that celebration too often this season. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

After a brilliant IPL 2018 and a well-earned Indian cap following that, Siddharth Kaul was expected to have a great season in IPL 2019. But, the Punjab fast bowler disappointed big-time. Kaul is known for his knuckle-ball and his ability to pick up wickets whenever the side needed him to, which is something he failed to do. Khaleel Ahmed became the main strike bowler and as Kaul leaked runs at the death, he fell out of favour with the skipper allowing him to play just 7 matches.

He could pick up just 6 wickets from the 7 games and his economy rate of 8.96 was way too much even for someone billed as a 'death bowler'. While SRH needn't sell him after one poor season, the plethora of options they have in their squad along with the fresh talents available at the auction might need them to free up some space. While Kaul needn't necessarily be sold, he's likely to be offloaded to another team at least during the trade window.

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#1 Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill did play a few aggressive strokes up top. (Image Courtesy: IPLT20)

Martin Guptill didn't do much wrong last season considering that he had only 3 games to play. Bought as a backup opener to David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, Guptill provided a couple of good starts scoring 81 runs at a very solid strike-rate. But why he needs to be released is because his purpose in the side as a backup opener won't be needed this season. Both Warner and Bairstow are expected to stay for the full season and even if one of them is injured, Saha provides enough backup.

Releasing Guptill provides them with an overseas slot which they can use to buy a big-hitting middle-order batsman like Glenn Maxwell or James Neesham. While he didn't do anything wrong, Guptill should be released just due to his lack of utility to the side and he can be considered even as a trade offer to another team.