An in-depth preview of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the IPL 2024 auction including their strengths, weaknesses, purse remaining, players to target and more.

Sunrisers Hyderabad made it to the playoffs in their inaugural season, in 2013, and were in the top four every time between 2016 and 2020. This included their only title, in 2016, and a runners-up finish in 2018. However, they came last twice in the the last three seasons, and will expect a turnaround.

Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2024 auction preview: Trades, full squad, purse & slots remaining

Trades

Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired Shahbaz Ahmed (INR 2.4 crore) from Royal Challengers Bangalore in lieu of Mayank Dagar (INR 1.8 crore).

Players released

Indian: Kartik Tyagi, Vivrant Sharma, Samarth Vyas. Overseas: Harry Brook, Adil Rashid, Akeal Hosein.

Squad before auction

Indian: Washington Sundar, Rahul Tripathi, Mayank Agarwal, Abhishek Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abdul Samad, T Natarajan, Umran Malik, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mayank Markande, Upendra Yadav, Anmolpreet Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sanvir Singh. Overseas: Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Purse remaining (in INR)

34 crore

Slots remaining

6 (3 overseas)

Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2024 auction preview: Strengths

A power-packed batting line-up

Despite releasing Harry Brook, the Hyderabad lineup boasts of big hitters in Markram, Klaasen, Tripathi, Samad, and Abhishek. Between them, they can give four overs, perhaps more. They did not deliver as a unit in 2023, but that may change this time.

A strong Indian bowling attack

Hyderabad are spoilt for choices here, and can choose from Bhuvneshwar, Umran, Natarajan, Washington, Shahbaz, and Markande, apart from the part-timers.

Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2024 auction preview: Weaknesses

They need one more hitter

The lack of big names in the Hyderabad heavy artillery is worrying. Perhaps they need a hitter with experience, at the top or at the death. Ideally an all-rounder.

A world-class spinner

Much of Hyderabad’s past glory was due to a unit of Indian seamers bowling around Rashid Khan. Washington, the best spinner in the current squad, is injury-prone, and they need someone better than Markande.

Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2024 potential first XI (from retained)

Mayank Agarwal, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, Marco Jansen, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, T Natarajan, Umran Malik

Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2024 auction preview: Players to target

Bigg-hitting big names: If they do not want Brook back, they can splurge on Rilee Rossouw, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Phil Salt, or, if they want someone at the top, Finn Allen or Travis Head. They have the budget for bidding wars.

Overseas spinner: Wanindu Hasaranga or Mohammad Nabi are their best bets for their batting abilities, but they can get Adil Rashid or Hosein back as well. Another option is Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.