 "SRH IPL Auction 2025 Review: Sunrisers boost firepower, aim for balance, but finishing and death bowling concerns emerge")
The IPL 2025 auction in Jeddah saw Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) make bold moves as they restructured their squad following a runner-up finish in IPL 2024. With a focus on assembling a balanced lineup, SRH made several high-profile signings at IPL Auction 2025 . Their biggest purchase was the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan , who joined for Rs 11.25 crore, providing a youthful and explosive option at the top of the order. The team also strengthened their bowling attack by securing veteran pacer Mohammad Shami (Rs 10 crore) and versatile all-rounders like Harshal Patel (Rs 8 crore).
On Day 2, SRH focused on depth and versatility, bringing in players like Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Cars, and Kamindu Mendis. By the end of the auction, SRH showcased a clear trend of balancing their experienced core with fresh talent to address the gaps left by releasing stalwarts such as Aiden Markram, Rahul Tripathi, and Washington Sundar.
SRH IPL Auction 2025 trends: Balance over star power
SRH’s strategy at the auction revolved around building a balanced squad with both experience and emerging talent. Their marquee signing of Kishan adds explosiveness at the top, while veteran pacers Shami and Patel bring control and wickets in crunch situations. Unlike in previous seasons, SRH refrained from overspending on a single aspect, instead focusing on acquiring utility players like Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, and Kamindu Mendis to strengthen their bowling and middle order.
The inclusion of experienced Indian bowlers and young domestic talent suggests SRH’s intent to address inconsistencies in their bowling attack, which often struggled at key moments last season.
SRH: Players purchased at IPL 2025 Auction
Mohammed Shami: Rs 10 crore
Harshal Patel: Rs 8 crore
Ishan Kishan: Rs 11.25 crore
Rahul Chahar: Rs 3.2 crore
Adam Zampa: Rs 2.4 crore
Atharva Taide: Rs 30 lakh
Abhinav Manohar: Rs 3 crore
Simarjeet Singh: Rs 1.5 crore
Jaydev Unadkat: Rs 1 crore
Brydon Carse: Rs 1 crore
Kamindu Mendis: Rs 75 lakh
Zeeshan Ansari: Rs 40 lakh
Aniket Verma: Rs 30 lakh
Eshan Malinga: Rs 1.2 crore
Sachin Baby: Rs 30 lakh
**SRH retained players**
Heinrich Klaasen: Rs 23 crore
Pat Cummins: Rs 18 core
Abhishek Sharma: Rs 14 crore
Travis Head: Rs 14 crore
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Rs 6 crore
SRH 2025 squad strengths: Depth and experience across departments
Explosive batting options: The acquisition of Ishan Kishan ensures SRH will have a destructive opener or a No.3 batter who can set the tone in the powerplay. The presence of Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, and Travis Head adds depth and versatility to the middle order, capable of adapting to various match situations.
Balanced bowling attack: SRH’s new-look bowling unit boasts a mix of pace and spin. With Shami and Harshal Patel providing leadership in the pace attack, and Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar offering wicket-taking abilities in the spin department, SRH is well-equipped to handle different conditions.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsExperience in key areas: The inclusion of seasoned IPL performers like Shami, Harshal, and Unadkat gives the team a reliable core of players who can perform in high-pressure situations.
SRH 2025 squad weaknesses: Lack of finishing power
Despite a strong top and middle order, SRH lacks a proven finisher in their batting lineup. Players like Abhinav Manohar and Kamindu Mendis have shown potential but lack the consistency and experience required to deliver under pressure consistently. This could leave the team vulnerable in tight chases or while setting high targets.
Additionally, while their bowling attack has depth, it lacks raw pace or a standout death-over specialist, a role previously played by the likes of T Natarajan. His absence might expose the bowling unit in crunch moments.
IPL Auction: What could SRH have done differently?
Invest in a specialist finisher: SRH could have targeted experienced finishers like Rovman Powell or Marcus Stoinis to shore up their lower-order batting and provide late-innings firepower.
Retain a strike bowler: Releasing bowlers like Natarajan or Washington Sundar may come back to haunt SRH, as their replacements lack the same impact potential.
SRH: Early predictions for IPL 2025
On paper, SRH has assembled a well-balanced squad with a mix of explosive batting, reliable bowling, and experienced campaigners. However, their success will hinge on their ability to finish games with the bat and handle pressure in death overs with the ball. If the likes of Klaasen, Head, and Kishan and their bowling unit fire consistently, SRH could be strong contenders for another deep playoff run. However, the lack of finishing power and a strike bowler might hold them back in high-pressure matches.
Full SRH squad for IPL 2025
Batters: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby
Wicket-keepers: Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen
All-Rounders: Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Kumar Reddy
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Simarjeet Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Carse, Eshan Malinga, Zeeshan Ansari, Aniket Verma
SRH probable first-choice playing XI:
Travis Head (Overseas), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Nitish Reddy, Henrich Klaasen (Overseas), Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby, Pat Cummins (C & Overseas), Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa (Overseas)
Impact player: Rahul Chahar
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