Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes it will be imperative for Sunrisers Hyderabad to retain their captain Pat Cummins ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions. Cummins led from the front in IPL 2024 and played a key role in taking his team to the final.
Cummins scalped 18 wickets in 16 matches for the Orange Army at an average of 31.44 and an economy rate of 9.27. The Australian was able to get the best out of his players in the recently concluded season and Chopra reckons SRH might not get a leader if they decide to release Cummins.
“It’s absolutely mandatory to retain Pat Cummins because there are 10 teams in the IPL, and you don’t get a captain. You have to go shopping for a captain and too many Indian names aren’t available, and those who are there aren’t released. So it is going to be an interesting one. Can you convince Pat Cummins for three more years?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra picked Abhishek Sharma as his number two pick for retention. Sharma was at his best in IPL 2024, smashing 484 runs in 16 matches at an average of 32.27 and a blistering strike rate of 204.21.
“I will keep Abhishek Sharma at No. 2 because you won’t get an Indian talent like Abhishek Sharma. There is a lot of value in Indian retentions because it won’t be that easy to pick such players again at the auction. They will be very expensive and when you have seen someone doing so well with you, keep him, why should you release him?” Chopra elaborated.
The renowned commentator picked Heinrich Klaasen as the number three pick for SRH. Klaasen scored 479 runs in 15 innings at an average of 39.92 and a blistering strike rate of 171.07.
“I will want to retain Travis Head but my third player will be Heinrich Klaasen. You can get other players for the position at which Travis Head bats but the position at which Heinrich Klaasen bats – Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell and Heinrich Klaasen. So I will want to retain Heinrich Klaasen,” Chopra added.
The former KKR player picked SRH opener Travis Head as the last retention for the Orange Army. Head scored 567 runs in 15 matches at an average of 40.50 and a whirlwind strike rate of 191.55.
“After that comes Travis Head, but will they be able to retain 3 overseas players? You might have to use the ‘Right to Match’ card for Travis Head but do it, it’s okay. Between Klaasen and Travis Head, I will go with Klaasen. I will leave Travis Head,” the cricketer-turned- commentator concluded.
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