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SRH's best playing 11 plus Impact Player after IPL 2025 Auction ft. Ishan Kishan & Kamindu Mendis

The SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) had an excellent campaign in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), but their work at the 2025 auction wasn't all that convincing. The Orange Army seemed willing to bid exorbitant amounts for certain players even though they came into the event with a limited budget.

Nevertheless, SRH's quality retentions mean that they have assembled a decent roster heading into the upcoming season. While a few spots are still up for debate, many of their first XII pick themselves.

SRH's squad for IPL 2025: Travis Head, Abhinav Manohar, Aniket Verma, Sachin Baby, Heinrich Klaasen, Ishan Kishan, Atharva Taide, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kamindu Mendis, Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar, Zeeshan Ansari, Mohammed Shami, Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, Simarjeet Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga.

On that note, here is SRH's strongest side, including an impact player, for IPL 2025.


Openers: Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma

2024 IPL Qualifier 2 - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals - Source: Getty
2024 IPL Qualifier 2 - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals - Source: Getty

While a logical thing to do would be to play new signing Ishan Kishan at the top of the order and use Abhishek Sharma's spin-hitting through the middle overs, SRH should be fairly reluctant to break up last year's opening combination. Abhishek and Travis Head terrorized oppositions in IPL 2024, and their pairing at the top of the order should continue at the start of the campaign at least.


Middle Order: Ishan Kishan (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kamindu Mendis, Heinrich Klaasen, Abhinav Manohar

2024 IPL Qualifier 2 - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals - Source: Getty
2024 IPL Qualifier 2 - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals - Source: Getty

Kishan could slot in at No. 3 and potentially make the most of the powerplay if an early wicket falls. While his performances in the middle overs haven't been encouraging, the left-hander has enough talent to overcome his weaknesses.

Hyderabad's retained duo of Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy will form the backbone of the middle order. Surrounding them could be Kamindu Mendis and Abhinav Manohar, who were signed at the 2025 auction.

Mendis clearly isn't a complete T20 batter, but SRH might have no option but to play him ahead of Adam Zampa to lengthen their batting. They have virtually no other middle-order options who can allow the top five to play aggressively.

Manohar is a spin hitter, and using him as a finisher might not be the smartest idea. Yet, SRH's poor roster construction will leave them with no choice. Atharva Taide, another top-order batter, might not find a place in the side.


Lower Order: Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar, Simarjeet Singh

2024 IPL Qualifier 2 - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals - Source: Getty
2024 IPL Qualifier 2 - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals - Source: Getty

Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, and Mohammed Shami will make up a well-rounded pace attack. There is the option of fielding Simarjeet Singh as the fourth specialist pacer, and SRH should ideally go down that route to give them some extra pace in the middle overs. Playing four quicks is an approach that worked for them in IPL 2024.

Rahul Chahar, who has been signed to be the team's lead wrist-spinner, will lead the attack on that front. Zampa would be ideal for Hyderabad's conditions, but leaving out Mendis would leave the middle order looking threadbare. With barely any other backups, the SunRisers are short of freedom.


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