Predicted XI of Sunrisers Hyderabad for Match 4 of IPL 2023
SRH will be playing their first match against RR in IPL 2023 (Source: Twitter/SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad have been a stalwart of consistency in the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2013. Their record speaks for itself - six playoff appearances, including a championship run in 2016. However, the last two seasons have witnessed a sudden and unexpected downturn.
The first blow came when the team was embroiled in a controversy around the decision to strip David Warner of his captaincy in 2021. Then, Kane Williamson was expected to lead the team to glory, but his disastrous form saw them finish in eighth place in the points table. Despite a strong start with five consecutive wins, five consecutive losses soon followed, effectively crushing their playoff hopes.
As a result, the team decided to release their captain Kane Williamson and star West Indian batter Nicholas Pooran ahead of the auction, a bold move that surprised many. Going into the IPL 2023 auction with the biggest purse of any of the franchises, the Hyderabad franchise went all guns blazing for England’s Harry Brook (INR 13.25 crore) and Mayank Agarwal (INR 8.25 crore). The Hyderabad-based franchise also added the likes of Adil Rashid, Heinrich Klaasen, and Mayank Markande to form a robust squad.
The Orange Army is now gearing up to commence their IPL 2023 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on April 2. Ahead of the mouth-watering clash, let’s take a look at Sunrisers Hyderabad’s strongest playing XI for IPL 2023.
1. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma, who has been a part of the SRH squad since the 2019 season, finally proved his mettle last season, In IPL 2022, the youngster was the standout performer for SRH, with a whopping 426 runs in just 14 games, making him the top-scorer for the team. Not only did Abhishek deliver with the bat, but he also displayed remarkable maturity in handling high-pressure situations.
Abhishek Sharma was SRH's leading run-scorer in IPL 2023 (IPLT20.com)
Given his remarkable last season and impressive form in domestic cricket, it's highly likely that the SRH management will consider the southpaw for a permanent opening position, allowing him to showcase his natural flair for aggressive play.
2. Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal was left in the lurch as he was dropped from the Punjab Kings squad ahead of the IPL 2023 auction. His poor performance in IPL 2022 where he scored only 196 runs in 13 innings resulted in the team missing out on the playoffs. However, SRH saw potential in the right-hander and picked him up based on his impressive track record in T20s and his wealth of experience in the IPL.
Mayank Agarwal is likely to open for SRH in IPL 2023 (IPLT20.com)
With over 2300 runs to his name in 113 IPL games, Mayank is no stranger to the pressure and expectations of the league. His impressive tally of 12 fifties and a century speaks volumes about his batting prowess. As SRH struggled with their batting in the previous season, the seasoned batter's inclusion could provide the team with the much-needed impetus at the top of the order, ensuring blistering starts and setting the tone for the rest of the innings.
3. Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi has made a name for himself in the cash-rich league with consistent performances. The 2021 season saw him explode onto the scene, scoring a brilliant 397 runs for the KKR. The following year, he was picked up by SRH and once again demonstrated his batting prowess.
Rahul has been one of the most consistent batters in the IPL (IPLT20.com)
The explosive batter proved to be an asset for SRH, often providing a solid foundation for the middle order. He scored an impressive 413 runs in just 14 innings, with a remarkable strike rate of 158.24. Tripathi will undoubtedly be looking to build upon his impressive performances from the past and continue to excel in the upcoming season.
4. Abdul Samad
In absence of their appointed skipper Aiden Markram, SRH will look to use a young Indian talent in Abdul Samad in the middle-order. The team composition and equations might change once Aiden Markram joins the team. But for the first match, Abdul Samad might earn a spot in the playing XI.
5. Harry Brook
The IPL auction was ablaze with fervent competition for the explosive Harry Brook. His hard-hitting prowess had teams clamoring for his signature, but ultimately, it was the Sunrisers who emerged victorious, securing his services for an astonishing INR 13.25 crore, a record-breaking amount for the franchise. The English prodigy had an awe-inspiring 2022 season, amassing a remarkable 436 runs in just 14 T20 Blast games, earning him a coveted national call-up.
Harry Brook will look to make a mark in the IPL (IPLT20.com)
The Englishman carried his fine form into the T20I series against Pakistan, where he stunned the opposition with his explosive style, earning the prestigious Man of the Series award for his remarkable performance, having scored an impressive 238 runs in just seven innings. Now, the Orange Army will be eager to witness Brook's fiery display of batting prowess in the IPL, as they hope he can bring his magnificent form to the franchise and help them clinch their second title.
6. Glenn Phillips
The New Zealand dynamo has been an absolute force to be reckoned with, especially when it comes to his hard-hitting prowess in the shortest format of the game. A permanent fixture in the Kiwi side across ODI and T20I formats, Phillips has proven himself to be a real standout performer.
Glenn Phillips will don the finisher's hat for SRH in IPL 2023 (ICC Twitter)
Despite having played only three IPL matches for Rajasthan Royals in the 2021 edition, Phillips has already shown flashes of brilliance. Sadly, the 2022 season saw him warming the benches for the entire tournament. But with the great form and a knack for delivering under pressure, the Kiwi batter may well find himself back in the XI. With over 5700 runs in T20 cricket to his name, the franchise would be wise to leverage his wealth of experience and exceptional skill set.
7. Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar's underwhelming performance in the previous IPL season failed to meet the expectations of both fans and management. In 9 games, he could only manage to score a meager 101 runs at an abysmal average of 14.43, which left everyone wanting more. His bowling was also lackluster, with a mere six wickets at an average of 39.83.
Washington Sundar will look to deliver the goods both with bat and ball (IPLT20.com)
Despite this, the SRH management showed immense faith in the young all-rounder and retained him for the upcoming 2023 season. Sundar, aware of his previous performance, will be eager to make a statement with his revamped game and will aim to help SRH claim their long-awaited second IPL trophy.
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
When it comes to pace bowling, few can match the finesse and precision of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The man has been the backbone of the SRH bowling attack for years, and has a proven track record of executing under the most intense pressure situations. His uncanny ability to take wickets with the new ball is nothing short of a magic trick.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will take the new ball for SRH (IPLT20.com)
With 154 wickets in 146 appearances at an economy rate of 7.30, Bhuvi is a true master of his craft. In the last edition of the IPL, the 32-year-old speedster picked up 12 wickets at an economy rate of 7.30. The swing king will want to replicate his performance from last year and help his side in the tournament.
9. Umran Malik
The young prodigy from Jammu and Kashmir, Umran Malik, has been a revelation with his fiery pace in the IPL. The speedster first caught everyone's attention with his searing pace in the 2021 season, which earned him a spot as a net bowler for the Indian team, as well as a retention by his franchise, SRH. In the 2022 season, the budding talent took the league by storm, emerging as the standout bowler for SRH with a staggering 22 wickets in just 14 appearances.
Umran Malik had set the tournament on fire last year with his raw pace (IPLT20.com)
Following his impressive displays in the IPL, Umran has gone from strength to strength, gaining valuable experience in domestic cricket and even earning a call-up to the Indian national team for the T20Is and ODIs. With his wicket-taking prowess, the versatile youngster is expected to be a valuable asset for SRH in any situation, as he looks to continue his meteoric rise in the world of cricket.
10. T. Natarajan
The IPL has produced some incredible talents over the years, and Natarajan is a prime example of that. The 2020 season was a breakthrough year for the southoaw, where he showcased his wicket-taking ability and was subsequently picked for the national team. However, injury woes forced him to sit out for most of the 2021 season, but he bounced back stronger in the following year.
T. Natarajan had an impressive IPL 2022 (IPLT20.com)
In the 2022 season, Natarajan was on fire, claiming 18 wickets in just 11 games with a fantastic best figure of 3/14. His ability to bowl with precision in the death overs makes him an indispensable part of the SRH bowling line-up. With Natarajan in their ranks, SRH will be confident of making a mark in the upcoming IPL season.
11. Adil Rashid
After putting in consistent performances for England over the years, the elusive IPL contract finally found its way to Adil Rashid. With an arsenal of wicket-taking skills across all formats, the masterful leg-spinner has proven himself a valuable asset to any team lucky enough to have him. The crafty leg-spinner’s brilliance was on full display in the T20 World Cup 2022, where he left India and Pakistan reeling with his middle-over takedowns.
Adil Rashid will make his debut in the IPL (IPLT20.com)
In the final, Rashid proved to be England's secret weapon, returning with figures of 2/22 in four overs and helping secure the team's triumphant victory. With experience galore and form on his side, Rashid is undoubtedly set to take the IPL by storm as the lead spinner in his team's lineup.
 "Jatin")
