Strongest playing XI for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2021
After a third-place finish in IPL 2020, the Sunrisers Hyderabad will be keen to put their hands on the IPL trophy in 2021. The Orange Army had won the championship in 2016. After that season, they have been among the top franchises but have not won the title.
At IPL Auction 2021, the Sunrisers Hyderabad chased many players. However, they bought only three players in the end. Kedar Jadhav, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and J Suchith joined the Hyderabad-based franchise at IPL Auction 2021.
The Sunrisers already had a strong outfit in IPL 2020. They have further increased their strength by adding proper back-up options. Here’s a look at their strongest playing XI for IPL 2021.
Openers - David Warner (c) and Jonny Bairstow (wk)
1️⃣6️⃣0️⃣ runs in 1️⃣5️⃣.1️⃣ overs 🔥
— ICC (@ICC) October 8, 2020
7️⃣ sixes 💥
An amazing partnership between England's Jonny Bairstow and Australia's David Warner at #IPL2020 🏴 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/e1Y1ILx6T3
David Warner will open the innings for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2021. The Orange Army will have to decide who will open the innings with Warner. Jonny Bairstow and Wriddhiman Saha are the top two candidates for that spot.
Saha was excellent in IPL 2020. However, since Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to play this year, SRH can afford to have three foreigners in the Top 3. Hence, Jonny Bairstow might get the nod ahead of Warner because of his excellent partnerships with Warner during the 2019 season.
Middle Order - Kane Williamson, Manish Pandey, and Priyam Garg
#OTD in 2015 #KoolKane donned the orange jersey for the first time 🧡
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 11, 2020
What has been your favorite Kane Williamson innings, #OrangeArmy? #SRH pic.twitter.com/ge1bJGVy31
Kane Williamson will bat at number three for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, with Indian star Manish Pandey at number four. Both Pandey and Williamson have much experience under their belt. It will be interesting to see if the Indo-Kiwi duo could perform consistently for SRH in IPL 2021.
Priyam Garg and Virat Singh will contend for the third spot in the middle-order. However, it seems like Garg will get an opportunity before Singh because he played regularly for SRH last year and also has a match-winning IPL knock to his name.
Lower Middle Order - Kedar Jadhav, Abdul Samad, and Rashid Khan
#OnThisDay in 2017, @SunRisers signed an 18-year-old Rashid Khan for INR 4 cr. at the #IPLAuction.
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 20, 2021
75 wickets from 62 IPL games @ 6.25 ER! What a star he's turned out to be for #SRH 💫https://t.co/822QCMP8jn pic.twitter.com/JtFRO9UcDR
Kedar Jadhav has joined the Sunrisers Hyderabad as an all-rounder. The veteran Indian all-rounder will likely bowl more in this year’s IPL. Also, his experience will help the rising star Abdul Samad in the finishers’ department.
Rashid Khan will be the final overseas player of the XI. Khan has been very successful with the ball for the Hyderabad-based franchise. He has also chipped in with a couple of crucial cameos in the league.
Bowlers - Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, and T Natarajan
"I couldn't be happier for Nattu. Such a nice guy and loves the game so much." @davidwarner31 is all praise for @Natarajan_91 🙌#OrangeArmy #SRH #KeepRising pic.twitter.com/avpbXxwK4h
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 9, 2020
The Sunrisers Hyderabad have a stellar Indian fast-bowling unit. Former Purple Cap winner Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the pace attack. Sandeep Sharma will likely open the bowling with Kumar for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2021.
T Natarajan will be the team’s main left-arm fast bowler. SRH also have the options of Siddarth Kaul and Basil Thampi available. But looking at the last season, it looks like both bowlers will be back-up to the duo of Sandeep and Bhuvneshwar.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have an extremely balanced side for IPL 2021. It will be intriguing to see if they could lift the IPL trophy again.