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Report card for SRH IPL 2026 retention, release and trade strategy ahead of mini-auction

Abhinav Tyagi

Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2026 - (Source: AFP)Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2026 - (Source: AFP)

On Sunday, November 15, Sunrisers Hyderabad revealed their retention list for IPL 2026. The Men in Orange, who had an average IPL 2025, have undergone several changes and released eight players ahead of the next season.

Notably, SRH will enter IPL 2026 mini auction with INR 25.50 crore in the bank. They have 10 slots available, including two overseas slots. Ahead of the auction, this article will analyse SRH's trade, retentions, release, and how have the Men in Orange done.

SRH's retentions, releases, and trades 

Retained players: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, R. Smaran, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kamindu Mendis, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga, Zeeshan Ansari

Released players: Mohammed Shami (traded to Lucknow Super Giants), Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder, Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby, Simarjeet Singh.

SRH trade: Mohammed Shami to LSG (10 crores)

SRH's purse value: Rs. 25.50 crore

Slots remaining: 10

Positives for Sunrisers Hyderabad

One of the massive positives for SRH is that they have retained their core and have little to worry about their foreign talent, unlike other teams. SRH have Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, Kamindu Mendis and Eshan Malinga. Further, SRH to bring in three overseas players during the mini-auction.

Mohammed Shami's presence had become a liability for Hyderabad, and his 10 crores salary purse hurt the Men in Orange. Meanwhile, to trade the star India seamer to LSG for the same price point and actually fetch 10 crores in Shami's move is a great thing, and it has actually raised SRH's chances to build a strong bowling core. 

Release non-performing Indian core: In IPL, teams usually don't waste time releasing underwhelming overseas talents, but give long thought before doing the same for Indian core. However, Hyderabad have done the opposite and released the likes of Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby, Simarjeet Singh.

Retaining Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel: Unadkat and Harshal Patel often go underappreciated, but the duo have done brilliantly for the Men in Orange. The 34-year-old from Saurashtra picked up 11 wickets in 7 innings in IPL 2025, while Patel took 16 wickets in 13 innings.

Negatives for SRH

What is the plan with Brydon Carse?

SRH have been very calculated regarding their retentions and releases, but their plan with Carse is quite unclear. The Men in Orange have three overseas slots fixed for Head, Cummins and Klaasen. Further, the 2016 winners also have their pace department mostly settled with Cummins, Patel, and Unadkat. 

Thus, it is likely for Carse to slip into the playing XI. Thus, SRH could have released him and brought in a suitable overseas option at the top or a world-class spinner replacing Adam Zampa. Notably, during IPL 2025, Carse got no opportunity to play.

Challenges for SRH

  • Lack of quality spinner: The first and foremost priority of Sunrisers Hyderabad is to bring in a top-quality spinner, as they have let go of Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar.
  • SRH have an Indian talent - Zeeshan Ansari, but require a top spinner to enhance their bowling unit.
  • No depth in the middle-order: SRH have let go of Abhinav Manohar and Wiaan Mulder. Thus, they require a key finisher, who can come to bat down the middle-order and whack the ball out of the park in the 10-15 balls he gets to play in the match.
  • Indian replacement for Shami: Since Shami is gone, SRH need a strong seamer. Harshal Patel and Jaydev are 34, and SRH need one quality seamer who can be a long-term prospect.
  • Lack of money for Mini-auction: SRH face a tough task in their hands as the Men in Orange have 25.50 crores in their kitty and have to fill a maximum of 10 slots and a minimum of four players. Thus, the Pat Cummins-led side can only target one or two quality players at a higher price point.  

How does SRH's line-up look with retained talents, and which blanks are yet to be filled?

1. Travis Head

2.Abhishek Sharma

3.Ishan Kishan

4.Heinrich Klaasen

5. Nitish Kumar Reddy

6. Aniket Verma

7. ___________

8. Pat Cummins

9._____________

10.Harshal Patel

11. Jaydev Unadkat

Conclusion

SRH have done well on their part, where they pulled a magical deal to fetch 10 crores out of Mohammed Shami. Further, the Men in Orange introspected their squad well and released mostly the right players, as there was no shocking retention or releases.

As mentioned above, only a few decisions like Mulder and Carse's retention can be debated, but overall, SRH have done a fantastic job to create a 25 crore purse value for themselves.

Overall rating - 8.5/10 (The trade deal with LSG for Mohammed Shami was a game-changer move for the upcoming mini-auction.