Sunrisers Hyderabad youngster Salil Arora is gaining attention after impressive performances in domestic cricket. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has praised the Punjab-born batter and believes he could reach a similar level to Abhishek Sharma in the future.
Pathan said Arora has the talent, mindset, and attacking style needed to succeed in modern white-ball cricket. Because of this, he believes the young player could eventually play a similar role for SRH.
Irfan Pathan Compares Arora to Abhishek Sharma
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan explained that both Salil Arora and Abhishek Sharma come from the Punjab cricket system. According to him, Arora’s fearless batting style reminds him of Sharma.
Abhishek Sharma has already built a reputation as a powerful white-ball batter, especially for his aggressive approach at the crease.
Pathan believes Arora could follow a similar path if he continues to perform consistently.
Salil Arora’s Strong Domestic Performance
Arora’s recent performances in domestic cricket have been very impressive. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, he scored 358 runs and showed excellent attacking ability.
His batting combined consistency with aggressive scoring, which caught the attention of selectors and IPL teams.
Salil Arora Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 Stats
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Runs | 358 |
| Batting Average | Around 72 |
| Strike Rate | Around 200 |
These numbers highlight Arora’s ability to score quickly while also maintaining consistency.
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SRH Signed Arora as Middle-Order Backup
Sunrisers Hyderabad signed Salil Arora for about ₹1.5 crore as a backup middle-order batter.
According to Pathan, Arora could step in if players like Nitish Kumar Reddy or Aniket Verma struggle with form.
Having a talented young player waiting for an opportunity can also increase competition within the team. This often motivates regular players to perform better.
Leadership Changes in SRH
Pathan also discussed the leadership situation at Sunrisers Hyderabad this season.
With regular captain Pat Cummins unavailable, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will lead the team. Abhishek Sharma will serve as the vice-captain.
This change in leadership adds a new dynamic to the SRH squad as they prepare for the upcoming IPL season.
Shivam Mavi Could Strengthen SRH Bowling
Apart from Arora, Pathan also spoke about fast bowler Shivam Mavi.
He mentioned that Mavi has worked hard on his bowling action and fitness. Earlier, there were concerns about his form, but now his pace appears strong again.
Pathan noted that Mavi is consistently bowling above 140 km/h, which makes him a valuable option in the SRH bowling attack.
Shivam Mavi IPL Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches | 32 |
| Wickets | 30 |
| Bowling Strength | Pace above 140 km/h |
With Pat Cummins unavailable, Mavi could become an important bowler for SRH.
Sunrisers Hyderabad appear to be focusing on young Indian players to strengthen their squad.
Salil Arora provides a promising option in the middle order, while Shivam Mavi adds pace to the bowling attack.
If Arora continues his strong form, he could soon become a regular part of the team.
For now, SRH will hope that their mix of experienced players and emerging talents helps them perform well in the upcoming IPL season.
