'Why did you not challenge even for someone like Akash Deep?' - Former India opener questions SRH's tactics at IPL 2026 auction

Abhinav Mukund slammed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for not going after experienced Indian seamer Akash Deep at the IPL 2026 mini-auction at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16.

The former India opener believes that the former champions could struggle with the ball inside the powerplay, and the additions of Auqib Dar or Akash Deep might have solved the problem.

"You've got to at least take a chance. Again, your big problem area is your powerplay bowling. They had Harshal and Unadkat, and you had to force Malinga in because you needed a new ball option. I would have gone heavy for an Auqib for this side. You had so much money in the end. Why did you not challenge even for someone like Akash Deep?" he said on ESPN Cricinfo.

Former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar also believes that Delhi Capitals (DC) are another team that is short on pacers who can bowl in the powerplay, despite them acquiring the services of Auqib for a staggering INR 8.6 crore.

"The only area they have not managed to strengthen is the new ball attack. Yes Aquib has done special things in the domestic circuit but there are some question marks with their bowling abilities at the top and the death," he reflected.

Delhi Capitals could consider themselves lucky to have acquired the services of veteran finisher David Miller at his base price. However, Mukund feels that the South African stalwart will have to wait for his chances in the playing XI.

"I don't think Miller finds a place in the side to start. I really like the upside of Porel. Maybe Nitish also drops down a number and Stubbs goes there. Miller, I think, just comes in as a replacement for Stubbs," Mukund said.

I think Gujarat are once again banking on their top three: Mukund

While Bangar praised Miller and called him the best buy for DC, he opined that Gujarat Titans should have signed the experienced campaigner.

"I think Miller would have fit well into this team having let gone of Rutherford and they had the money as well. Miller would have looked after the deficiencies they have at number four and five. So, probably that was a miss," Bangar said.

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Mukund, on the other hand, feels that Gujarat will once again rely on their top-three batters, Sai Sudharsan, captain Shubman Gill, and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, to score most of their runs.

"I think Gujarat are once again banking on their top three. It looks like that. My problem with this side is that they have got all of these young Indian talents who are knocking on Indian doors. How are you going to keep them content, keeping them on the bench?" Mukund asked.