When it comes to Sunrisers Hyderabad, last season’s runners-up, one thing is beyond doubt: this team possesses immense batting power. The bigger question heading into the new IPL season is whether SRH will once again embrace the all-out attacking approach that defined their 2025 campaign – even if that aggression sometimes cost them matches.
Interestingly, SRH’s management went into the December player auction believing they didn’t have enough batters. For most observers, that assessment seemed surprising given the firepower already in the squad. Yet the franchise doubled down, adding England’s Liam Livingstone to an already formidable group that includes Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy.
Then there is Aniket Verma, one of the finds of last season, whose explosive batting quickly caught the eye. Put all those names together and SRH may well boast the most destructive batting line-up in the entire IPL.
Given that depth, selecting the playing XI should not be particularly complicated for the team management. The batting order more or less picks itself, with both Indian and overseas options covered. The bigger focus will be ensuring the bowling unit provides balance to such a power-heavy side.
SRH have been dented by news that skipper Pat Cummins will miss a few matches initially, and their new overseas recruit, Jack Edwards, the 25-year-old allrounder from New South Wales, has been ruled out of the tournament with injury.
In Cummins’ absence, SRH could go to Brydon Carse or Eshan Malinga. Edwards has shown promise in Australian domestic cricket and was emerging as a handy squad player if given opportunities, but SRH will now have to look elsewhere.
Harshal Patel will lead the pace unit, supported by a combo. Of Jaydev Unadkat, Shivam Mavi, Harsh Dubey and Zeeshan Ansari. That combination offers a mix of experience, variety and depth. In addition, SRH have the flexibility to use the part-time bowling options of Head, Reddy and if required.
One particularly interesting addition is Mavi. If he can remain injury-free, Mavi could prove to be a smart investment. He brings genuine pace and also offers useful lower-order batting, making him a valuable all-round option who could walk straight into the best XI.
From the uncapped Indian pool, Salil Arora is another intriguing prospect. Whether he gets chances is another matter, though, given the sheer depth of Hyderabad’s batting resources.
With a batting line-up capable of overwhelming any bowling attack and a balanced pace unit to support it, SRH appear well-equipped for another deep run in the tournament. The only question is whether their aggressive philosophy will once again bring glory—or heartbreak.
