The IPL 2025 mega auction saw Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) make bold moves to assemble a well-rounded squad. Over two days of bidding, SRH secured 15 players, including marquee signings like Ishan Kishan and Mohammad Shami. The franchise spent aggressively to address key areas and emerge as strong contenders for the upcoming season.
Here’s a detailed analysis of SRH’s squad, their auction strategy, and the potential impact of their new signings.
SRH IPL 2025 Squad: Full List
Retained Players
- Pat Cummins (₹18 crore): The Australian Test captain and a lethal fast bowler.
- Abhishek Sharma (₹14 crore): A young Indian batter capable of opening and anchoring innings.
- Nitish Reddy (₹6 crore): A promising domestic all-rounder.
- Heinrich Klaasen (₹23 crore): A dynamic South African batter and wicketkeeper.
- Travis Head (₹14 crore): An experienced Australian batter with the ability to play spin well.
New Signings
- Ishan Kishan (₹11.25 crore): A wicketkeeper-batter known for his explosive starts at the top.
- Mohammad Shami (₹10 crore): A seasoned pacer making a comeback after recovering from injury.
- Harshal Patel (₹8 crore): A crafty death-over specialist.
- Rahul Chahar (₹3.2 crore): A leg-spinner with IPL experience.
- Adam Zampa (₹2.40 crore): A world-class leg-spinner from Australia.
- Atharva Taide (₹30 lakh): A domestic batter with potential.
- Abhinav Manohar (₹3.20 crore): A hard-hitting middle-order batter.
- Simarjeet Singh (₹1.50 crore): A young Indian pacer.
- Zeeshan Ansari (₹40 lakh): A domestic spinner for squad depth.
- Jaydev Unadkat (₹1 crore): An experienced left-arm pacer.
- Brydon Carse (₹1 crore): An English all-rounder with T20 credentials.
- Kamindu Mendis (₹75 lakh): A versatile Sri Lankan player.
- Aniket Verma (₹30 lakh): A domestic player to strengthen the bench.
- Eshan Malinga (₹1.20 crore): A promising Sri Lankan pacer.
- Sachin Baby (₹30 lakh): A seasoned domestic batter.
Key Highlights of SRH’s Auction Strategy
1. Building a Strong Core
Sunrisers Hyderabad retained a solid foundation with players like Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, and Travis Head. The auction strategy focused on complementing this core with impactful signings like Ishan Kishan and Mohammad Shami. Kishan adds firepower at the top, while Shami strengthens the pace attack.
2. Focus on Experienced Bowlers
The inclusion of Mohammad Shami, Harshal Patel, and Adam Zampa highlights SRH’s intent to build a bowling unit capable of excelling in different conditions. Shami’s ability to swing the ball upfront and Harshal’s death-over expertise make them a formidable duo. Zampa and Rahul Chahar provide spin options to dominate on slower pitches.
3. Strengthening the Middle Order
The acquisitions of Abhinav Manohar and Brydon Carse bring much-needed power to the middle order. These players are capable of finishing games and scoring quickly in the death overs. Travis Head and Klaasen ensure stability while allowing the power-hitters to flourish.
4. Investment in Youth
SRH’s investment in young talents like Atharva Taide, Simarjeet Singh, and Zeeshan Ansari reflects their focus on building for the future. These players can develop under the guidance of experienced teammates.
Star Signings: Impact Players for SRH
1. Ishan Kishan (₹11.25 crore)
Kishan’s explosive batting at the top of the order makes him one of the most exciting signings of the auction. His ability to take on bowlers in the powerplay will complement SRH’s middle-order stability. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he also adds flexibility to the playing XI.
2. Mohammad Shami (₹10 crore)
Shami’s comeback after an injury is a massive boost for SRH. His experience in handling pressure and ability to bowl in all phases of the game make him a critical component of the bowling attack. Shami’s presence also enhances SRH’s death bowling alongside Harshal Patel.
3. Harshal Patel (₹8 crore)
Harshal’s ability to bowl slower deliveries and yorkers at the death has made him one of the most sought-after T20 bowlers. His knack for picking wickets in crucial moments will be pivotal for SRH.
4. Adam Zampa (₹2.40 crore)
Zampa’s consistency as a leg-spinner makes him a valuable addition to the SRH squad. His control and ability to take wickets in the middle overs can turn games in SRH’s favor, particularly on spin-friendly tracks.
Strengths of SRH’s Squad Post-Auction
1. Strong Bowling Unit
With a mix of pace and spin, SRH’s bowling attack is one of the most balanced in IPL 2025. Pat Cummins, Mohammad Shami, and Harshal Patel form a lethal pace trio, while Zampa and Chahar provide quality spin options.
2. Explosive Top Order
The combination of Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen ensures explosive starts for SRH. Both players have the ability to take the game away from the opposition in the powerplay.
3. Experienced Core
Retaining players like Cummins and Klaasen ensures leadership on the field. Their experience in international cricket adds depth to the squad.
4. Versatility
The squad boasts players like Travis Head and Brydon Carse, who can adapt to multiple roles, providing flexibility in team combinations.
Challenges and Weaknesses
1. Over-Reliance on Key Players
SRH’s success will heavily depend on the performances of Ishan Kishan, Pat Cummins, and Mohammad Shami. Injuries or a dip in form for these players could impact the team’s chances.
2. Lack of a Proven Finisher
While Abhinav Manohar and Brydon Carse show promise, SRH lacks a consistent finisher who can close out games under pressure.
3. Bench Depth
The squad’s bench strength appears thin, especially in the spin department, which could pose challenges in case of injuries or loss of form.
Predicted Playing XI for SRH in IPL 2025
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Travis Head
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Abhinav Manohar
- Brydon Carse
- Harshal Patel
- Pat Cummins (C)
- Mohammad Shami
- Adam Zampa
- Rahul Chahar
Conclusion
Sunrisers Hyderabad has emerged from the IPL 2025 auction with a squad that balances experience and youth. By securing marquee players like Ishan Kishan and Mohammad Shami, the franchise has addressed key gaps and strengthened its chances for a successful campaign. The team’s bowling attack looks particularly formidable, with a mix of pace and spin options to adapt to various conditions.
However, SRH will need consistent performances from its key players and improved finishing abilities in the middle and lower order to contend for the title. With a strong core and promising signings, SRH fans can look forward to an exciting season as the team aims to reclaim its spot among the IPL elite.
