SRH 2024 ( Source : IPL )
After a few years of struggle, Sunrisers Hyderabad have finally built a perfect squad that can challenge for the title every year. In IPL 2024, the Pat Cummins-led side destroyed the majority of their opponents and scripted new records that may never be broken. They were ruthless with the bat and were very close to clinching the title but a poor show on the night of the final forced them to settle with silver.
Like the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, Hyderabad too aren’t in favour of the mega-auction that BCCI planned ahead of IPL 2025. In a meeting with other franchise heads and BCCI officials, Hyderabad cleared that they want to retain the maximum of their squad, given that it has taken them years to build. However, that is not something that’s going to happen.
Whether they like it or not, Hyderabad will have to give up on the majority of their players ahead of the next season. BCCI is yet to take a call regarding the number of retentions and usage of RTM cards but whatever it may take, the franchise is not going to let these three players leave for the auction.
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Here are the three players who can be retained by SRH:
3. Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)
South Africa international Heinrich Klaasen is arguably one of the best T20 batters in the world at the moment. He was destructive with the bat in IPL 2024, as the 33-year-old smacked 479 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 171.07. He was the difference maker in the middle order for Hyderabad and under no circumstances, the franchise will let him leave.
Klaasen was relatively a cheap buy as SRH managed to sign him for INR 5.25 crores. If they leave him for the auction, the Pretoria-born cricketer can even go for double or more and importantly, he will not be an easy buy as many franchises would be eager to sign him, given he is brilliant in keeping as well.
Meanwhile, the surfaces in India are changing drastically as many teams are now eager to play on flat pitches. Hyderabad are one of them as their home ground – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium – produced a belter in the last edition. Things are unlikely to change ahead of the next season and if SRH eventually retains Klaasen, he can wreak havoc, yet again.
2. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Abhishek Sharma was the breakout star for Hyderabad last year. The franchise backed him for years and in 2024, he finally repaid their faith with consistent performances. The 23-year-old smashed 484 runs in 16 matches at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 204.21 in IPL 2024 and based on his performance, Abhishek will be the first name on the team sheet next year.
Apart from being a flamboyant batter, Abhishek can also bowl, which will add to his CV. With the future of the Impact Player Rule being uncertain, Hyderabad can rely upon him for a couple of overs in case the rule gets scrapped.
The youngster is also well aware of the Indian conditions and isn’t someone who will only succeed on batting-friendly pitches. He has done well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well, where the conditions haven’t been easy all the time. He has all the talent to become one of the future greats and Hyderabad are very likely to back him in his journey.
1. Travis Head
Travis Head vs DC in IPL 2024 ( Photo source: IPL )
There are plenty of options available for Hyderabad when it comes to retention. Captain Pat Cummins should be one of them but there’s uncertainty whether he will be available for selection given that Australia will be hosting Ashes later in 2025. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Wanindu Hasaranga and Nitish Reddy are some of the options they can think of, but they are unlikely to let Head leave.
The Australia international was arguably the best opener in IPL 2024. He smashed 567 runs in 15 matches at a marauding strike rate of 191.55 and like Klaasen and Abhishek, SRH are very unlikely to let him go. He was very consistent and managed to give good starts to Hyderabad which helped them qualify for the final.
The team management also gave him the freedom to express himself. He wasn’t afraid to play an aggressive brand of cricket and that is probably going to be the template as far as T20 cricket is concerned. Head also has a good understanding of Indian pitches and that’s another reason why the team might back him ahead of the next edition.
