Which players should SRH target in the IPL mini-auction?

SRH released Kane Williamson to the auction pool [Source: Twitter]

On Tuesday, the ten IPL teams submitted their final retention list ahead of the mini-auction scheduled in Kochi next month. In an interesting turn of events, the Sunrisers Hyderabad released their ex-captain Kane Williamson and swashbuckling keeper-batter Nicholas Pooran to the auction pool along with a few other players. 

As they brainstorm to rebuild their team, let's analyse and find out which players SRH should target in the mini-auction. 

What do SRH have at the moment?

Top order batters: Rahul Tripathi, Abhishek Sharma
Middle order batters: Aiden Markram, Glenn Phillips, Abdul Samad
Spinner: Washington Sundar
New-ball bowlers: Marco Jansen, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Middle overs enforcers: Kartik Tyagi, Umran Malik
Death overs specialist: T Natarajan
Purse Remaining: INR 42.25 Crores
Overseas slots remaining: 4

What do SRH need?

1.An Indian Opener

Mayank Agarwal with KL Rahul [Source: Twitter]

Although SRH have Rahul Tripathi and Aiden Markram, who can open, they will likely slot them at number three and four, respectively, as they were successful at those positions last season. So, SRH will bid for an opener, preferably an Indian, in the IPL mini-auction. The best player they should bid for and draft into their team is Mayank Agarwal. 

As we know, they are devoid of a skipper after Williamson's departure. So, they should go after Agarwal, as he can not only open but also captain the side. Mayank will be a high-budget pick and they have a massive amount in their purse. So, I expect them to bag Mayank at any cost in the mini-auction. 

2. A left-handed spin hitter in the middle order

Sherfane Rutherford in action [Source: Twitter]

SRH have two tremendous pace-hitters in Aiden Markram and Glenn Phillips in their middle order. But this duo needs someone, preferably a left-hander, to shield them from Slow left-armers and right-arm leg spinners in the middle overs. 

To fulfil this objective, SRH might buy back Nicholas Pooran, whom they released three days ago. If they have let Pooran go because of his poor recent form, they might go after Sherfane Rutherford (I will call it a smart low-budget pick) considering his stellar performances against the similar bowling types in the middle overs. 

Sherfane Rutherford vs SLAs and RLBs in middle overs since 2021: 175 runs in 115 balls, Average: 58.3, Strike Rate: 152.2 

Will SRH consider buying Sam Curran? 

Yes, they have the money in their purse to afford him, and he can be a great addition to their death bowling arsenal. Curran can also neutralise the spin types mentioned above. But he will be a high-budget pick. If SRH buy both Agarwal and Curran, they might have to compromise with the quality of their remaining squad. 

3. A wrist spinner

Adam Zampa has recently been phenomenal in T20Is [Source: Twitter]

SRH's spin unit comprises Washington Sundar and Abhishek Sharma, who don't give me enough confidence as potent weapons. So, I reckon they definitely need a wicket-taking spinner to balance their bowling unit. 

As they will likely go with an all-Indian pace attack, I feel they should go for someone like Adam Zampa or Adil Rashid or Tabraiz Shamsi in the mini-auction to ensure some quality in their spin department. 

In another move (less likely), they might look at Murugan Ashwin and Mayank Markande, released by Mumbai Indians before the mini-auction. 

These will be their primary three areas to target in the mini-auction. Considering their incredible pace bowling depth, I don't think they will buy any high-budget seamer. Instead, they will spend the remaining amount in batters and seam-bowling all-rounders. 

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