Travis Head, Liam Livingstone and Abhishek Sharma [Source: @Cricsxva77/X]
Sunrisers Hyderabad may have finished in the middle of the table in IPL 2025, but with the arsenal they possessed, the team deserved much better. Nevertheless, ahead of the IPL mini auction 2026, the team retained its core firepower, but wise choices were not made.
SRH had to look for bowling upgrades in the squad with better and more Indian fast bowlers for the powerplays, and should have also bolstered their strength in the spin department since Rahul Chahar and Adam Zampa have been shown the back door. However, SRH overlooked that aspect.
Their buying was heavily inclined towards domestic hitters, with only the notable purchase of INR 13 crore for English spin bowling all-rounder Liam Livingstone.
With probably the most explosive batting lineup on their side, like the previous season, SRH once again steps into the ring for some record-breaking scores. But the bowling department is equally important! So, let's take a look at how SRH can go into IPL 2026 as strong as possible.
SRH IPL 2026 Squad Analysis
Top Order: Travis Head-Abhishek Sharma duo to fire again, Ishan Kishan to follow
With the core team pretty much the same as the previous season, the explosive formula should not change. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma to open, and Ishan Kishan follows.
The trio's madness alongside Heinrich Klaasen in the middle order resulted in the second-highest innings total in IPL history (286/6) in the previous season, which follows SRH's own record of 287/3.
Moreover, the opening partnership of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma averages 46.25 from 25 matches, which allows them to continue the onslaught like sweet old times.
Category
Data
Innings
25
Runs
1110
Highest Score
171
Average
46.25
Overs
89.4
Run Rate
12.37
[Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma's opening partnerships in IPL]
Ishan Kishan had a great 2025 season while batting mostly in the No. 3 position. He scored 354 runs from 13 matches while averaging 35.40. In overall IPL, though, Kishan has an average of 26.60 at a strike rate of 137.82 at No. 3.
Middle Order: Ravichandran Smaran in, Klaasen at 5, NKR as floater
The middle order only adds to the firepower here. Heinrich Klaasen's favourite position to bat in the IPL, No. 5, will be reserved for him. The ideal batter to counter the middle order blues if the Travis-Abhishek duo manage to get past the 10-over mark.
Criterion
vs Pace
vs Spin
Balls Faced
1,298
945
Runs
2,037
1,543
Innings
122
115
Average
30.4
37.6
Strike Rate
156.9
163.3
Centuries
5
3
Dismissals
67
41
[Heinrich Klaasen stats vs Pace and spin in T20 cricket]
Ravichandran Smaran, who is currently having a strong SMAT 2025 form, might move up the order to give stability in case the top order collapses. The 22-year-old might not be a big name, but his consistency in the ongoing tournament speaks for his worth.
Criterion
Data
Runs
319
Innings
7
Average
63.8
Strike Rate
158.71
50s
2
[Ravichandran Smaran SMAT 2025 form]
While Nitish Kumar Reddy bowls, he might be treated as a floater in the squad and can be sent up or down the order to cash in on the balanced hitting in case SRH lose the first three wickets early.
Aniket Verma, who had a decent display in IPL 2025 with 236 runs from 12 matches at an average of 26.22, might be a stable contributor at No. 7 with Pat Cummins joining hands with brisk hitting at death at No. 8. And with that, the batting lineup sums up!
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, captain, Cummins to lead, Mavi, and Ansari follow
The SRH bowling attack somehow lacks the bite. While Harshal Patel is a decent pacer to attack with the new ball, the fire ends with Pat Cummins. Shivam Mavi and Zeeshan Ansari will find it good enough to end the bowling lineup.
Harshal Patel had a decent IPL 2025 season with 16 wickets from 13 matches, but the catch is that he does not click in every match.
Nevertheless, among the available options, Patel is the best one to open with as he can also tackle the middle to death over phase with Cummins in the mix, having good credentials to his name.
Criterion
Harshal Patel
Pat Cummins
Innings
115
67
Overs
340
153
Runs Conceded
2,993
1,390
Wickets Taken
137
51
Economy
8.81
9.06
Average
21.8
27.3
Strike Rate
14.9
18.1
Best Bowling
5/27
3/7
[Harshal Patel and Pat Cummins between 7-20 overs in IPL]
Shivam Mavi continues with the pace attack. Zeeshan Ansari had good UP T20 form with 15 wickets from 13 matches this year and might continue with his leg-break skills to find himself inside the playing XI.
Impact Sub: Liam Livingstone, Eshan Malinga most possible inclusions
SRH has invested a lot of money in Liam Livingstone. Hence, chances of him featuring in the Playing XI are higher. However, given the number of hitters and all-rounders in the starting XI, Livingstone might find himself on the bench with his spin bowling skills.
Eshan Malinga is also a useful prospect for the team, and there will be a toss-up between the two depending on spin/pace-friendly pitches on whom to be sent in. The most likely swapper for them would be Travis Head.
SRH's strongest XI for IPL 2026
Travis Head ✈️
Abhishek Sharma
Ishan Kishan (wk)
Ravichandran Smaran
Heinrich Klaasen ✈️
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Aniket Verma
Pat Cummins (C) ✈️
Harshal Patel
Shivam Mavi
Zeeshan Ansari
Impact Sub - Liam Livingstone/Eshan Malinga for Travis Head depending on pitch type
![Travis Head, Liam Livingstone and Abhishek Sharma [Source: @Cricsxva77/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1766060658658_Head_Abhishek_livingstone_FF.jpg?type=hq)
Travis Head, Liam Livingstone and Abhishek Sharma [Source: @Cricsxva77/X]
.jpg?type=mq "Sanju Samson's career in Jeopardy")
