Sunrisers Hyderabad predicted XI for IPL 2021

Middle Order: Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey

Kane Williamson is likely to be preferred ahead of Jonny Bairstow

Kane Williamson is simply too good a player to be left out, and SRH learnt this the hard way in IPL 2020. The Kiwi skipper adds so much value to the team with his calmness, leadership and experience. He has had a bit too much responsibility on him at No. 3, but that should change this IPL as long as the team steers clear of injuries.

Manish Pandey, who played a few superb knocks in IPL 2020, will come in at No. 4 for SRH. There have been calls from certain quarters to use the Karnataka-born batsman in a finishing role, which he has played both in the IPL and for India in the past. But the SRH management seems to be keen on getting the most out of their premier Indian batsman.

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All-rounders: Vijay Shankar, Abdul Samad, Jason Holder

Abdul Samad had his moments during IPL 2020

Vijay Shankar missed many games in IPL 2020 owing to injury, and the SRH lineup suffered without balance in his absence. The all-rounder will contribute a few handy overs with the ball, and act as the anchor in the middle order for the other attacking batsmen.

Abdul Samad and Abhishek Sharma fought it out for the No. 6 spot in the SRH XI last year, and the former was more impressive with the bat in hand. Samad played a couple of entertaining knocks, and smashed tall sixes even against the league's best bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah.

Samad and Abhishek are both precocious talents, but SRH can only afford to fit one of them in their team. And thanks to his performances in IPL 2020, the Jammu & Kashmir youngster should get the nod.

The final all-rounder in the SRH XI will be Jason Holder. The West Indian was signed as an injury replacement for Mitchell Marsh, but he should hold on to his place even though the Aussie is expected to be fit for this year's IPL. Holder added a sense of calm to the SRH lower-middle order, and picked up wickets consistently.

Kedar Jadhav, who has been signed due to his experience, shouldn't be needed if Holder and Shankar play. Priyam Garg is another solid option, but the youngster is undoubtedly better suited to the top order, and playing him at No. 5 or No. 6 might be a waste.