IPL 2021: 5 players SRH should release ahead of the auction
In an Indian Premier League (IPL) season where they struggled for the most part before mounting a late dash to the playoffs, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) overachieved with a third-place finish. The IPL 2016 champions overcame the loss of key personnel, with some forced changes making immediate impact.
David Warner crossed 500 season runs, while Rashid Khan and Kane Williamson were dependable once again. Manish Pandey looked to settle into his role at No. 3, as did Wriddhiman Saha towards the close of the season as an opener. Jason Holder showed his all-round prowess, while Mohammad Nabi remains an important option. With the ball, it was T Natarajan and Sandeep Sharma who held the team up.
However, SRH had a mediocre season owing to a few team balance issues. Here are the five players they should release ahead of the auction.
#5 Basil Thampi (IPL 2018-2020)
A decent first season with the Gujarat Lions in 2017 ensured Kerala seamer Basil Thampi was picked up by the team which stocks up on Indian pacers for fun. However, it has been a bit of a struggle for Thampi to consistently make the SRH starting XI. Such is SRH's depth in bowling that Thampi has been afforded just 8 opportunities across 3 IPL seasons for them.
An IPL career economy rate of 9.79 and just 17 wickets from his 20 games are disappointing returns for Thampi. Although he has been recognised in the domestic circuit for his performances, his displays in the IPL leave much to be desired. With SRH's available bowling pool, they can afford to release Thampi and look for more impressive options.
#4 Shreevats Goswami (IPL 2018-2020)
In the hunt for a back-up wicket-keeper, Sunrisers Hyderabad picked up Shreevats Goswami in the 2018 IPL auctions. Although he has been a decent performer at the domestic level - he averages close to 40 in List A cricket, and 27 in all T20s - Goswami's IPL career has been one of playing the waiting game. Seldom trusted to be the primary wicketkeeper - as he was in 2012 with the Rajasthan Royals - Goswami hasn't quite held on to his opportunities either.
One of the few players who played in both the inaugural and in the most recent IPL, Goswami has a disappointing average of below 15 with the bat, striking at just above 99. With Wriddhiman Saha showing his batting form, and Jonny Bairstow still a big part of SRH's plans, Goswami can be replaced by another Indian wicket-keeper batsman.