After a rollercoaster ride in the IPL 2024 where Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) finished as runners-up, their 2025 season turned out to be a major disappointment. Led by Pat Cummins, SRH slipped to 6th place in the standings and struggled with both bat and ball throughout the season.
As the IPL 2026 auction approaches, the franchise has begun reshaping its squad—aiming to clear underperforming names and free up purse for impactful buys.
SRH Retention Strategy: Aggression with Adjustments
SRH is known for its explosive batting and aggressive bowling setup. But with big players not delivering as expected in 2025, the franchise is set to take bold steps in rebalancing the squad. A mix of experienced players and promising young guns are likely to be retained, while a few high-salary stars are expected to be released.
Read Also:- Top 10 Best All-Rounders in IPL History 2008–2025
SRH Retained Players List for IPL 2026 (Expected)
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Pat Cummins (Captain) | Bowler |
| Travis Head | Batter |
| Abhishek Sharma | All-Rounder |
| Heinrich Klaasen | WK-Batter |
| Atharva Taide | Batter |
| Wiaan Mulder | All-Rounder |
| Zeeshan Ansari | Bowler |
| Harsh Dubey | All-Rounder |
| Kamindu Mendis | All-Rounder |
| Simarjeet Singh | Bowler |
| Nitish Reddy | All-Rounder |
| Smaran Ravichandran | Batter |
| Jaydev Unadkat | Bowler |
| Eshan Malinga | Bowler |
Key Points:
- Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma remain SRH’s go-to opening pair.
- Klaasen might be retained despite his high salary due to lack of explosive finishers.
- Youngsters like Zeeshan and Harsh Dubey showed promise in limited opportunities.
SRH Released Players List for IPL 2026 (Expected)
| Player Name | Role | Auction Price (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| Ishan Kishan | WK-Batter | 15.25 |
| Mohammed Shami | Bowler | 10.00 |
| Heinrich Klaasen* | WK-Batter | 23.00 |
| Harshal Patel | Bowler | 8.00 |
| Rahul Chahar | Bowler | 3.20 |
| Abhinav Manohar | Batter | 3.20 |
*Klaasen’s future remains uncertain. SRH may try to re-acquire him at a lower price if released.
Reasons for Release:
- Ishan Kishan: Despite starting the season with a century, his inconsistent run and hefty price tag make him a likely release.
- Shami: Leaked runs heavily in 2025 and lacked rhythm.
- Harshal Patel: 16 wickets in 13 games, but most of them came in just two matches. Expensive economy rate too.
- Abhinav Manohar: Failed to deliver despite multiple chances, scoring only 61 runs in 8 matches.
- Rahul Chahar: Played just one match. Clearly not in team’s current plans.
Purse Freed Up After Releases
SRH could free up a total of ₹63.85 Crore if they release all the above-mentioned players, giving them massive flexibility at the auction table.
What Next for SRH in IPL 2026?
With Pat Cummins at the helm and Travis Head in sublime form, SRH still has a strong core. Their likely auction strategy may involve:
- Targeting a consistent Indian wicketkeeper-batter.
- Strengthening the bowling with death-over specialists.
- Finding a finisher to support Klaasen (if retained) or to replace him.
- Investing in emerging Indian pacers or U-25 all-rounders.
Like to read: Most Fan-Followed IPL Teams
Fans’ Watchlist: Who Could SRH Target?
SRH might look at:
- Promising domestic names like Vaibhav Arora, Shahrukh Khan (if available).
- Overseas all-rounders or lower-order hitters like Tim David or Marcus Stoinis.
- Young spinners or uncapped talents who impressed in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy or Ranji Trophy 2025-26.
Like to know? CSK IPL 2026 Retained & Released Players List:
Final Take: New Dawn for the Orange Army?
After a forgettable 2025, SRH are clearly in a rebuilding phase. While big names like Kishan and Shami might be shown the door, the team’s young Indian core and experienced foreign stars give them a solid base.
With smart auction tactics and the right additions, Sunrisers Hyderabad can once again roar in IPL 2026.
