IPL 2018 Auction Day 1: Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad

It has been just five seasons since the Sunrisers Hyderabad entered the  Indian Premier League (IPL), but they have managed to garner a decent fan base in a short span. The 2016 champions and two-time semifinalists managed to impress their fans with some terrific purchases on the first day of the IPL 2018 auction. On paper, they already have a brilliant composition and are looking all set for the challenges ahead.

After managing to reach the Playoffs in their first ever season under the leadership of Cameron White, they faltered in the next two editions. But SRH came back strongly under the inspiring leadership of David Warner and won the title comprehensively in 2016. They managed to defeat the hot favourites for the season Royal Challengers Bangalore in a thrilling final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

A good mix of youth and experience

Before entering the auction, the Sunrisers retained their two big player Warner and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Their first participation in today’s auction was using the Right to Match card to bring back their Indian stalwart Shikhar Dhawan, who was sold for a moderate price of Rs. 5.2 crore. They managed to buy Kane Williamson yet again into the side and very smartly, they avoided using the RTM card here.

Hyderabad also roped in some big names the likes of Manish Pandey, Carlos Brathwaite, Shakib Al Hasan, Indian Test wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. They went very close to getting Glenn Maxwell, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Mohammed Shami, D’Arcy Short, Jofra Archer, Krunal Pandya and a few others.

But the best part about their auction campaign on day 1 was the youngsters that were signed. Beginning from Rashid Khan, who induced a massive bidding war and went for a humongous Rs. 9 crore. SRH used their RTM card to retain him.

Barring him, they also managed to rope in some wonderful young fast bowling talents like Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul, Basil Thampi, and T Natarajan. Uncapped Indian player Deepak Hooda, who had a terrific domestic season leading Baroda, was their third RTM pick.

Total Number of Players – 16 (2 Retained), Remaining Purse – Rs. 8 Crore

Here’s the entire list of players bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Day 1:

1. Shikhar Dhawan – Batsman | Rs. 5.2 Crore (RTM)

2. Shakib Al Hasan – All-rounder | Rs. 2 Crore

3. Kane Williamson – Batsman | Rs. 3 Crore

4. Manish Pandey – Batsman | Rs. 11 Crore

5. Carlos Brathwaite – All-rounder | Rs. 2 Crore

6. Wriddhiman Saha – Keeper-batsman | Rs. 5 Crore

7. Yusuf Pathan – All-rounder | Rs. 1.9 Crore

8. Rashid Khan – Spinner | Rs. 9 Crore (RTM)

9. Ricky Bhui – Batsman | Rs. 20 Lakh

10. Deepak Hooda – All-rounder | Rs. 3.6 Crore

11. T. Natarajan – Fast Bowler | Rs. 40 Lakh

12. Basil Thampi – Fast Bowler | Rs.  95 Lakh

13. Siddarth Kaul – Fast Bowler | Rs. 3.8 Crore

14. Syed Khaleel Ahmed – Fast Bowler | Rs. 3 Crore

15. David Warner – Batsman | Rs. 12 Crore (Retained)

16. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Fast Bowler | Rs. 8.5 Crore (Retained)