IPL 2021: Strongest Predicted Playing XIs of all teams

8. Sunrisers Hyderabad

Like some of the other teams, even SRH are likely to head into the new season with a playing XI similar to what they fielded last season. Captain David Warner will occupy one of the two opening slots and there is a good chance that Wriddhiman Saha will take up the other spot. Manish Pandey, who recently returned from injury during the Vijay Hazare Trophy will come in at No.3 and play the role of an anchor.

Kane Williamson will compete with the likes of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow for a place in the team, but his performances last season should guarantee him a place initially. Priyam Garg showed a few glimpses of his potential last year, and he will be looking to improve on his showings. Likewise, even Abdul Samad showed raw potential as a power-hitter and will have to play a key role as a finisher. Jason Holder will be the team’s main all-rounder coming in at No.7 while also bowling 4 overs every game.

Rashid Khan is the world’s best T20 spinner and thus, his importance to SRH doesn’t need much justification. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been in pretty good form in recent times and will receive excellent support from T Natarajan in the pace department. Shahbaz Nadeem and Sandeep Sharma will be the two main contenders for the last place in the XI and given that they play their first 9 games in Chennai and Delhi, where conditions favour spin, Nadeem should get the nod.

Predicted Playing XI: David Warner (C), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Priyam Garg, Abdul Samad, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shahbaz Nadeem, T Natarajan