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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) endured a mixed IPL 2025 campaign despite a promising start that saw them reach the finals for the first time in eight years. Under Pat Cummins’ determined leadership, SRH showcased their aggressive brand of cricket but faltered when it mattered most. Their batting powerhouse struggled for consistency in the final stretch, losing momentum after dominating the league phase with record-breaking totals on multiple occasions. The defeat in the final highlighted their over-reliance on key players and exposed weaknesses in their middle-order depth.
Sunrisers Hyderabad set sights on strong IPL 2026 rebuild
One of the biggest disappointments for SRH was their bowling performance, which could not complement their explosive batting. Senior bowlers including Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Washington Sundar lacked penetration in crucial games, leading to their release ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Despite having one of the most balanced squads on paper, the team’s inability to deliver under pressure and adapt to changing conditions proved costly.
By releasing 21 players from their setup, SRH made a bold statement. The management has clearly decided to back a core group of overseas players who performed consistently during IPL 2025. With 45 crore rupees still available in their purse, the franchise seems well-positioned to target domestic and uncapped players who can provide stability around their global stars.
3 overseas players SRH can retain ahead of IPL 2026 auction
The 2016 IPL champions have retained three marquee overseas cricketers who were instrumental in their run to the finals last season.
- Travis Head
Travis Head continues to be one of the most dangerous opening batters in T20 cricket. The Australian left-hander smashed 567 runs in 15 innings last season at a staggering strike rate of 191.5, often giving SRH explosive starts. His partnership with Abhishek Sharma was instrumental in several record-setting totals. Head’s ability to dominate both pace and spin has made him the team’s most valuable asset in the powerplay and one of the primary reasons SRH are keen on retaining him for another season.
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- Pat Cummins
The Australian captain has been the backbone of SRH’s leadership group since taking charge. Cummins not only led the team to the final but also infused aggression and purpose into the side. His tactical acumen in rotating bowlers and maintaining composure under pressure earned widespread praise. SRH will look to retain Cummins underscores their faith in his leadership and desire to build a cohesive unit around his calm yet attacking presence.
- Heinrich Klaasen
The South African wicketkeeper-batter remains SRH’s most dependable middle-order batter. Heinrich Klaasen aggregated 479 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 177.08, including four half-centuries. His ability to accelerate in the death overs and adapt to match situations complements SRH’s aggressive top order, making him indispensable to their setup.
With this settled core, SRH enter the IPL 2026 auction looking to strengthen their domestic bench, aiming to address the gaps that denied them the title in 2025.
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