Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 finalists Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are likely to retain their core players ahead of the mega auction which is scheduled to take place later this year. IPL governing body BCCI has already given the deadline to the respective owners to submit their final retention list by October 31, 2024.
As per IndiaToday, Star wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, captain Pat Cummins, and openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma are the main names that are going to be retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auction.
In a strategy to establish a strong Indian core for the upcoming seasons, SRH is set to retain 21-year-old all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Having played just two seasons in the cash-rich league, Reddy was acquired by SRH in the 2023 auction for a modest Rs 20 lakh. Although the team aimed to keep him as one of their uncapped talents, they had to adjust their budget after he made his international debut in the T20I series against Bangladesh.
Reddy made a notable impact during the T20I series, earning the Player of The Match award in New Delhi. He scored 74 runs off just 34 balls against Najmul Shanto's team and took 2 wickets in his 4 overs. His impressive performance in IPL 2024 has drawn comparisons to Hardik Pandya, and he is being prepared by the national team for red-ball cricket as well.
Additionally, Heinrich Klaasen is poised to be the first retention for the squad, rather than Pat Cummins. Klaasen is highly valued in the T20 circuit for his exceptional batting skills against spin. He nearly led South Africa to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 with a dynamic innings, scoring 52 off 27 balls and bringing the equation down to a run-a-ball in the 15th over. His innings came to an end due to a mistimed shot against Hardik Pandya in the 17th over, resulting in a catch behind.
The five players were crucial to SRH's success in the last season. Under Pat Cummins' leadership, SRH managed to revive their fortunes and reach the IPL final for the first time since 2018. Much of this achievement can be credited to Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who formed impressive partnerships at the top of the order.
In addition to the openers, Klaasen and Nitish Reddy significantly strengthened the SRH middle-order, addressing a gap that had persisted in previous seasons.
More on Sports Tak
