Shreyas Iyer ideal for SRH? Here’s Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Dream XI at IPL Auction

Shreyas Iyer to SRH?: Here comes the team that startled everyone with their retention picks. No, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) didn’t retain any surprising players but it were the retention amounts. They utilized all Rs 75 crore, off which an extraordinary amount of Rs 23 crore went to Heinrich Klaasen. Skipper Pat Cummins, who led the team superbly till the IPL 2024 Final, had a slight pay cut after he was retained for Rs 18 crore.

Both trend-setters up the order, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head will get Rs 14 crore each, while Nitish Kumar Reddy would be one of the most underpaid players at Rs 6 crore. However, only five players don’t make up a team and hence the Sunrisers Hyderabad would be desperate to add some shrewd signing to their tally. But there’s nothing shrewd here, as we have curated a best possible XI for the SRH. It is all fantasy booking, guys. With the mega auction slated to happen on November 24-25, we have made a “Dream XI” for them. While we know that no one can predict what happens at an IPL auction, it’s important to note that this is a purely speculative exercise. On that note, let’s hop into it!

SRH: 1) Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma emerged as the best talent for SRH in IPL 2024, where he had his career-changing season. He made 484 runs at an unheard strike rate of over 204. He even smashed 42 sixes alone, which is the most by an Indian in an IPL season. Due to this, he was straightaway drafted into the Indian T20I setup. Retained at Rs 14 crore, Abhishek would love to show his aggressive nature once more.

SRH: 2) Travis Head (Overseas)

Here comes Team India’s arch-nemesis, Travis Head. He was bought for less than Rs 7 crore last season and announced himself in the league quite superbly. Head and Abhishek formed the most lethal opening duos. As for Head, he clubbed 567 runs at an incredible SR of over 191. He even averaged 40.5, smashing 4 fifties and a superb ton as well. At Rs 14 crore, the Australian southpaw would love to repeat his exploits.

SRH: 3) Shreyas Iyer

Alongside Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer is touted to attract immense bidding. With Rs 45 crore in their bank, SRH are unlikely to bid for any of these three. However, this is fantasy booking so why not? Shreyas Iyer would be a perfect fit at Hyderabad, batting at number three. He is an ideal T20 player when it comes to different match situations. From stabilizing to hitting from ball one, Iyer can do both. With an experience of playing over 200 T20s, Iyer has mustered 5,629 runs.

SRH: 4) Nitish Kumar Reddy

Touted as the next Hardik Pandya of India, Nitish Kumar Reddy is SRH’s find. He is a local superstar and some crucial IPL seasons lie ahead in front him him. Selected even for the BGT, Reddy would be completely different man going into IPL 2025. At IPL 2024, Nitish Reddy scored 303 runs at a SR close to 143. He is even growing as a medium pace bowler too.

SRH: 5) Heinrich Klaasen (Overseas) (WK)

The costliest retention ever, Heinrich Klaasen has been kept for a whopping Rs 23 crore. Undoubtedly, he is one of the best T20 batters in the world currently, but Klaasen would have to do something out of ordinary to justify this price tag. In terms of run-making, Klaasen has enjoyed his best-ever year in T20s. So far in 2024, he has hammered 1240 runs at an average of 33.51 and at a SR of 164.67.

SRH: 6) Liam Livingstone (Overseas)

Our third overseas pick is Liam Livingstone, who has been on a resurgent run. He was once dropped from the England team and now most recently even led the side in the absence of Jos Buttler. One of the member in the marquee list, Livingstone will bag some bids. SRH should look to have him as he suits their template of hitting everything out of the park. Apart from his hitting, Livingstone has developed into a superb 3-4 over bowler too and can switch around between off-spin and leg-spin.

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SRH: 7) Abdul Samad

Abdul Samad could be SRH’s RTM card pick as they can only use it for an uncapped player. The 23-year-old power-hitter has been SRH’s go-to finisher, lighting up the 2024 season with a blazing strike rate of 168.51. With 182 runs across 16 innings last season and a career tally of 577 runs in 50 games, Samad’s ability to clear the ropes at will makes him a valuable asset in modern T20 cricket. Samad hammered twin centuries in a Ranji Trophy game against Odisha this season. Moreover, SRH will almost have a complete batting unit if they get back Samad, with him operating in the lower-order.

SRH: 8) Pat Cummins (Overseas)

Here comes the skipper Pat Cummins, who took SRH to the IPL 2024 final. Everything was going perfect for him till the final as he built an outstanding team. Signed for a whopping ₹20.50 crore, Cummins took 18 wickets but the way he led the group was truly commendable. He backed the team to the tilt and his camaraderie with coach Daniel Vettori is superb too.

SRH: 9) Deepak Chahar

The Sunrisers Hyderabad have always had someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar with them. Now that they have moved on from him, Deepak Chahar could be an ideal option. He is a traditional swing pacer who would obviously be a powerplay specialist, like Bhuvneshwar was all these years. Although injuries have taken a toll on him, Chahar would be desperate to prove his mettle in IPL 2025. In 142 T20s, Deepak has claimed 155 wickets at an amazing economy rate of under 7.9.

SRH: 10) Rahul Chahar

From one brother to other, we have included Rahul Chahar, who would take care of the spin department. While above we have the part time bowling of Abhishek and Livingstone, Rahul Chahar would add his experience of playing 78 IPL matches. He is even a two-time IPL winner with MI, for whom he claimed 41 wickets at a superb economy of 7.4.

SRH: 11) T Natarajan

One of the most underrated bowlers in India, T Natarajan could be another high value pick. With SRH retaining their core batting group, he was unfortunately left out. However, SRH would be doing everything to buy him back. Pat Cummins utilised his potential quite well last season as Nattu is renowned for bowling skillfully at the death. Last IPL season, he claimed 19 wickets in 14 games. While he is a bit injury prone, Nattu could add that left-arm variety as well.

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