October 10, 2024

Sunrisers To Part Ways With Cummins, Head & Klaasen? 6 Players SRH Should Retain Ahead Of IPL 2025 Mega Auctions

After finishing 8th, 8th, and 10th in the previous three seasons, Sunrisers Hyderabad, the 2016 IPL champions, made a strong comeback in the 2024 edition by finishing as runners-up. They secured 2nd place in the league table but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. Under the leadership of Australia’s Test and ODI captain, Pat Cummins, SRH delivered an impressive performance throughout the tournament.

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the franchise aims to retain several key players from their successful 2024 campaign. They plan to keep three overseas players and two promising Indian youngsters who were instrumental in the team’s achievements this year.

Here’s a look at six players SRH should retain ahead of IPL 2025 mega auctions:

Pat Cummins: Sunrisers Hyderabad spent a massive Rs 20.50 crore to sign Pat Cummins, Australia’s ODI World Cup 2023 winning captain, in the IPL 2024 auction. In his first season leading SRH, the 31-year-old fast bowler guided them to a runners-up finish.

Cummins excelled both as a captain and a player. On the field, he took 18 wickets in 16 matches and contributed with the bat, scoring 136 runs at a striking rate of 143.15. His balanced performance, combining leadership and key contributions, played a major role in SRH’s successful season.

Travis Head: Sunrisers Hyderabad secured Australian ODI World Cup 2023 final hero Travis Head for Rs 6.80 crore during the IPL 2024 auction, and he made a significant impact in the season. Playing under Pat Cummins, Head scored an impressive 567 runs in 15 matches, boasting a remarkable strike rate of 191.55.

At 30 years old, Head is recognized as one of the top all-format batters in contemporary cricket. Letting him go would be a significant mistake for SRH, considering his exceptional performance and value to the team.

Heinrich Klaasen: South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen joined Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 5.25 crore during the IPL 2023 auction. In his debut season, he scored a total of 448 runs in 12 matches, and he continued to impress in the 2024 edition, accumulating 479 runs in 16 matches.

At 33 years old, Klaasen is recognized as one of the most dangerous white-ball batters in the game today. His ability to change the course of matches has proven invaluable to the Hyderabad-based franchise, earning him a reputation for winning games single-handedly.

Read More: Delhi Capitals Co-owner Provides Key Information on Player Retentions

Abhishek Sharma: Abhishek Sharma was a standout performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, playing all 16 matches and scoring 484 runs with an impressive strike rate of 204.21. The 24-year-old left-handed batter earned the award for hitting the most sixes in the tournament, totaling 42. Additionally, he contributed with the ball, taking two wickets in four innings, showcasing his all-round capabilities.

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Nitish Reddy made a significant impact in the 2024 edition of the IPL, gaining recognition for his performances. In 13 matches, the 21-year-old cricketer from Andhra scored 303 runs and took three wickets with his medium-pace bowling. His outstanding contributions earned him the Emerging Player of the Tournament award.

Following this success, he was selected for the Indian T20I team to face Zimbabwe in July 2024, but unfortunately, he missed out due to injury. As an uncapped player, Nitish has the potential to debut in the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh. If he does, he will lose his uncapped status, making it impossible for Sunrisers Hyderabad to retain him under that quota.

Abdul Samad (uncapped): Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Jammu & Kashmir cricketer Abdul Samad ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, and he remains a top candidate for retention as an uncapped player. In IPL 2024, he played in all 16 matches, bringing his total to 577 runs in 50 IPL matches so far. His consistent performance makes him a valuable asset for the franchise as they prepare for future seasons.

Read More: IPL 2025 Auction: CSK Most-Valued IPL Franchise, MI At No. 4; See Full List

When An Emotional MS Dhoni Punched a Screen in Anger: ‘His Dream of Retiring With IPL Trophy Shattered’

Known as “Captain Cool,” MS Dhoni’s ability to manage emotions under pressure was a defining feature of his captaincy. His calm demeanor in high-stakes situations earned him a massive fan following and solidified his legendary status, both internationally and in the IPL. However, like anyone, Dhoni is human and can experience emotional outbursts, albeit rarely. Notable incidents include a heated argument with umpires during an IPL 2019 match against Rajasthan Royals and a collision with Mustafizur Rahman in an international match in 2015.

A recent incident occurred during IPL 2024 after a thrilling match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), which led to CSK’s elimination from the playoffs. RCB celebrated their remarkable turnaround in finishing among the top four, but Dhoni, who was in the dugout, became frustrated when the RCB players continued their celebrations without acknowledging him. He entered the field for the customary handshake but left after a brief wait, visibly upset. Harbhajan Singh, a former teammate, later revealed that Dhoni punched a screen in frustration on his way back to the dressing room.

“The team (RCB) had all the right to celebrate the victory. I was there (at the venue) watching from upstairs. RCB were celebrating and these guys (CSK players) had made a line for the post-match handshake. RCB were a little late and by the time they arrived, Dhoni left and right before you enter the dressing room, there’s a screen which he punched. It happens,” Harbhajan said on Sports Yaari.

“It was their right to celebrate, they can even take three minutes. Maybe he wasn’t that (calm and cool) day. Maybe his dream of retiring from IPL with a trophy was shattered (after the defeat),” he added.

Harbhajan Singh believes that MS Dhoni should retire when he feels it’s the right time for him. He also expressed confidence that the 43-year-old could continue playing for another decade, as long as he maintains his fitness.

“It’s his decision when to retire. It’s possible we might even see him the next time too. We are no one to tell him when he retires, it’s his choice. If fit, he can even represent CSK for the next 10 years,” he said.

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