IPL 2023 Auction: Sunrisers Hyderabad had a forgettable last couple of IPL seasons and have hit the rest button ahead of the mini-acution. The 2016 champions are the only side without a captain and a new pick will be high on their agenda. Ben Stokes, and Mayank Agarwal are the best-placed options, with a buyback opportunity for Nicholas Pooran. Kane Williamson was released, but the Orange Army have the biggest purse to make a difference on December 23 in Kochi. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
Official working closely with SRH management informed InsideSport, “Team will gun for a BIG ALLROUNDER at IPL Auction. Yes, Green, Stokes & Curran kind players will be on radar. But our decision-making will be dependent on the fact that whether these players are available for full IPL Window or not.”
IPL 2023 Auction: What SRH need?
- A top-order batter who can also be captain (unless they are ready to gamble on Bhuvneshwar Kumar).
- A wicket-taking wristspinner.
- A pace-bowling allrounder.
- A wicketkeeper (They have Glenn Phillips but he is a reluctant gloveman)
IPL 2023 Auction: Ben Stokes, Mayank Agarwal among options to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad, Cash-Rich Orange Army eye BIG fix after Williamson sacking – Follow LIVE Updates
Ben Stokes is expected to be one of the most expensive players at the Auction. Given the Sunrisers’ lack of leadership options, Stokes seems a perfect fit for the side. The Orange Army have the capacity to accommodate the English all-rounder and his strengths and give their rebuild a huge boost.
SRH are in a dire need of a seam-bowling all-rounder having released the likes of Romario Shepherd. Sean Abbott also adds value to the batting in the lower order. Stokes’ leadership makes him the prime candidate but a move for Sam Curran or Cameron Green cannot be ruled out. Among Indian options, Mayank Agarwal offers a alternate option to Kane Williamson.
Why are Sunrisers chasing Stokes and Green?
- Sunrisers are in desperate need of all-rounders, with only Washington Sundar retained.
- Their lack of consistent performers and game-changers have cost them dearly in the last two seasons.
- Furthermore, Stokes provides a captaincy alternative, with their current bet placed on Aiden Markram.
- Green had success at the top of the order in India and could slot in place of the released Williamson.
SRH surprisingly released Nicholas Pooran despite him having a solid season. However, it could all be a strategy to try and bag him again for a much cheaper price. Sunrisers shelled out 10.75 crore last year on the left-hander. There is again interest from other franchises and it remains if SRH can get him back.
Should they miss out, N Jagadeesan is an option available. The Tamil Nadu keeper is in the form of his life and is likely to garner interest at the auction. KS Bharat was also released by Delhi Capitals and he could slot into a ‘Williamson-like’ role for SRH.
IPL 2023 Auction: Ben Stokes, Mayank Agarwal among options to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad, Cash-Rich Orange Army eye BIG fix after Williamson sacking – Follow LIVE Updates
SRH’s bowling attack also needs a fix with Washington Sundar being the sole spinner of repute. Adil Rashid and Adam Zampa present their cases well before the IPL auction. Brian Lara and the team management will have to tinker with combinations to fit an overseas spinner in the line up. The lack of an attacking spin option did hurt them last year, and Sunrisers will be keen to assess the situation this time around.
Ottniel Baartman, who is part of the Sunrisers’ team in the SA20 could also get a look in. Other than that, SRH have their fast bowling options decked up with Kartik Tyagi, and Fazalhaq Farooqui on the bench.
Current squad: Abdul Samad, Aiden Markram, Rahul Tripathi, Glenn Phillips, Abhishek Sharma, Marco Jansen, Washington Sundar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kartik Tyagi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Umran Malik
What they have to play with
They have the most money – INR 42.25 crore (USD 5 million approx.) – to spend at the auction. They have four vacancies for overseas players and a whopping 13 vacancies overall.
SRH Released players: Kane Williamson, Nicholas Pooran, Jagadeesha Suchith, Priyam Garg, Ravikumar Samarth, Romario Shepherd, Saurabh Dubey, Sean Abbott, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Sushant Mishra, Vishnu Vinod
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