Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes it will be better for Sunrisers Hyderabad if they back only Indian bowlers in the playing XI in the upcoming Indian Premier League. SRH has Indian bowlers like Umran Malik, T Natarajan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in their squad.
On the other hand, SRH has a strong overseas batting contingent of Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Glenn Phillips, and Travis Head. SRH will be led by Pat Cummins, who was brought for a whopping amount of INR 20.50 crores in IPL 2024 auction.
Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalped 16 wickets in the previous season of the IPL 2023 and was the team’s leading wicket-taker.
“They can play different combinations as per their wish. Their Indian bowling contingent is so strong that they can manage if they play only Indian bowlers. How many teams can say that they won’t have any issues if they play all Indian bowlers?” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“They have a fantastic Indian fast-bowling lineup. A team that has so many Indian fast bowlers should do well because a lot of options get opened up, or else you are dependent on overseas bowlers. This team is not that dependent,” he observed.
Chopra noted that the Orange Army has some high quality all-rounders in the team, who can play a key role in the team’s success.
“They do have a lot of all-rounders. You can call Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, Abhishek Sharma and Shahbaz Ahmed as all-rounders. Glenn Phillips bats, bowls and keeps. He does everything,” Chopra added.
The renowned commentator highlighted that SRH has a great collection of strong overseas players for the upcoming season and they will rely on them to deliver the goods.
“Their overseas contingent is incredible. They have gun overseas options, from Heinrich Klaasen to Aiden Markram to Glenn Phillips to Marco Jansen to Pat Cummins to Travis Head to Wanindu Hasaranga. They have Fazalhaq Farooqi as well,” Chopra stated.
Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at Kolkata on March 23.
