IPL 2023: Best Predicted Playing XI of SRH after mini-auction

Sunrisers Hyderabad had a disappointing IPL 2022 season, wherein they could secure only six victories in 14 league matches. As a result, SRH released overseas players like Kane Williamson, Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd. The lesser-known Indian players received an axe from the franchise as well. With much purse amount left, the Hyderabad-based franchise had a great day-out in the IPL mini auction that concluded on Friday (December 23) at Kochi. They secured services of quality batters, Harry Brook, Mayank Agarwal and Heinrich Klaasen. Furthermore, the addition of Adil Rashid and Akeal Hosein in the squad has paved way for them to have a strong bowling unit as well. Here is the playing XI of SRH after the conclusion of the mini-auction: 1. Abhishek Sharma The southpaw has been trusted by the SRH since the 2019 season. The patience of the franchise certainly bore fruit, when Abhishek Sharma proved to be sensational in the IPL 2022. He provided a potent start to the team in most matches and emerged as the top-scorer for SRH with 426 runs in 14 games. Abhishek has matured a lot in terms of his mindset under pressure situations. He has the experience leading the Indian U19 team and often fills the absence of Mandeep Singh for Punjab in the domestic circuit. Furthermore, he has displayed consistency in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy with averages of more than 35. With an impressive last edition and good domestic form, the SRH team management might put Abhishek as a permanent opener. Also, he can get a license to go all guns blazing which is his natural style. 2. Mayank Agarwal (c) Ahead of the IPL auction, Mayank was released from the Punjab Kings’ side. This was due to his poor form in the IPL 2022, wherein he scored 196 runs in 13 innings while Kings could not qualify for playoffs. Mayank was then picked by the SRH side on the basis of his track record in T20s and IPL experience. So far, the right-handed batter has scored 2327 runs in 113 IPL games with 12 fifties and a solitary century. Although Punjab failed to go deep last year, Mayank’s leadership qualities can’t be judged on the basis of a single season. He has also led the Karnataka state team and is likely to be the captain of the franchise in 2023. 3. Rahul Tripathi In the last few years, Rahul Tripathi has emerged as one of the finest batters in Indian cricket. He rose to fame in the 2021 season wherein Rahul slammed 397 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders. Then, he got an opportunity with SRH in the 2022 season. Rahul shone brightly for SRH with his ability to provide a platform for the middle-order. He slammed 413 runs in 14 outings with a strike rate of 158.24 with three fifties to his name in 2022. Rahul is a definite number three for SRH due to his experience at the top-order. He opens for the Maharashtra state team in the domestic circuit as well and will look to be proficient in 2023. 4. Aiden Markram The polished batter received an IPL contract last year from SRH owing to his proficiency across all formats for South Africa. Markram didn’t fail to impress the franchise as well as the fans as he was the backbone of the batting unit while stitching crucial stands with Nicholas Pooran. Markram ended the season with 381 runs in 14 innings at a prolific average of 47.63. He ensured the team posted a big total or chase down stiff scores with his ability to play as an anchor and a finisher. He was retained by SRH looking at the consistent scores under his belt. Furthermore, the right-handed batter has a unilateral focus on the IPL apart from international cricket which helps him to perform better. 5. Harry Brook 2022 has been life-changing for English batter, Harry Brook. After scoring 436 runs in 14 games of the T20 Blast, he received his maiden national call-up. He then impressed by winning the Man of the Series in the T20I series against Pakistan for scoring 238 runs in seven innings. The consecutive centuries in the recently concluded three-Test match series against Pakistan helped him to be at the forefront of the franchise’s minds in the auction. With a heavy purse remaining, SRH bagged him for hefty amount of 13.25 Crores. The consistent scores across all formats and auction bid suggest that Brook might be preferred over Heinrich Klaasen in the line-up. Also, he has an uncanny ability to hit shots all around the park, which may favour his selection. 6. Glenn Phillips The New Zealand batter has been great with his ball-striking abilities in the shortest formats. He is a permanent member of the Kiwi side in the ODI as well as T20Is. Recently, Phillips emerged as the top-scorer for the team in T20 World Cup 2022 with 201 runs in five innings. Interestingly, Phillips slammed 104 off 64 balls against Sri Lanka and displayed his ability to convert starts into big scores. So far, he has played only three IPL matches while representing Rajasthan Royals in the 2021 edition. The 2022 season witnessed him warming the benches for the entire season. However, an uptick in form and performance in crunch moments might help him to earn a place in the XI. Moreover, he has over 5700 runs in T20s, and will be valuable for the franchise. 7. Washington Sundar The all-rounder’s tryst with injuries has troubled him in the last few years. Washington Sundar missed most of the matches due to a hand injury which also resulted in SRH’s lacklustre performance in spin departments. Although the team has secured quality overseas spinners, he still remains the key for SRH due to his all-round abilities. He has a solid technique to bat at the top or the middle-order. Recently, he returned with knocks of 51 and 37* for India in the ODI series against New Zealand. Sundar’s specialty has been his economical bowling at any stage of the game. In particular, the spinner has contained runs in the powerplay which often puts pressure on the opposition. He has 33 wickets and scored 318 runs in 51 IPL games. 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar One of the finest pace bowlers in IPL history has to be Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He is leading the pace battery of SRH for a number of years and has been successful in executing under pressure. Bhuvi has maintained his consistency in the T20 format with his natural ability to take wickets with a new ball. With impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, the experienced campaigner is likely to be having enough confidence to replicate the same in the IPL. He has 154 wickets in 146 appearances at an economy of 7.30. In the last edition, the 32-year-old bagged 12 wickets at an economy of 7.30. Furthermore, he displayed the ability to contain runs in the death, while nailing yorkers perfectly as well. 9. Adil Rashid Adil Rashid finally bagged an IPL contract after years of consistency in international cricket. He has aced his wicket-taking skills across all formats. Although he was not preferred as a red-ball bowler, Rashid impressed in the longest format as well. The accurate leg spin bowling and the ability to take wickets in the middle overs of the game has been the key to Adil’s success. He was impressive against India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022. In particular, the talented spinner returned with figures of 2/22 in four overs in the final and helped England to lift the World Cup. He has 275 wickets in 248 T20s at an economy of 7.48, and is expected to be the lead spinner in the line-up. 10. T Natarajan Natarajan has been an IPL product which provided a quality left-arm pace option to the Indian team. He received recognition in the 2020 season wherein he scalped 16 wickets in as many games and got an entry into the national team. The 2021 season witnessed him only playing two matches due to injury concerns. After recovering fully from injury concerns, Natarajan finished with 18 wickets in 11 games, with best figures of 3/14 in 2022 season. Currently, he is playing for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit and is looking in good form. With no injury concerns, Natarajan will be important for SRH in the death overs. 11. Umran Malik The young pacer from J&K has breathed fire with his pace and accuracy in the IPL. He first impressed with pace in the 2021 season, which helped him to be a net bowler for India and also get retained by SRH. The 2022 season witnessed him emerging as the best bowler for the franchise with 22 wickets in 14 appearances. His best performance of 5/25 came against KKR, which saw Umran at his best to stun the batters with his in-swingers. Leading up to the IPL 2023, Umran has gained an experience in domestic cricket and represented India in the T20Is and ODIs. He is likely to be used as a floater in any situation, due to his wicket-taking abilities.

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IPL 2023: Best Predicted Playing XI of SRH after mini-auction

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