Sunrisers Hyderabad [2026] – Squad Review and Playing 11
Sunrisers Hyderabad have built a reputation for being calm, disciplined, and dependable. Whether defending low totals or surprising stronger opponents with their pace attack, the team consistently finds ways to stay competitive. Over time, SRH have developed a personality rooted in efficiency rather than flash, which makes them stand out in a league full of aggressive, high profile squads.
Sunrisers Hyderabad represent the spirited city of Hyderabad, blending patient cricket with moments of explosive brilliance. Their home stadium often mirrors the team’s character sometimes slow and challenging, other times supportive of bold stroke play. SRH rely on an efficient structure, a strong bowling foundation, and leaders who carry calmness into pressure situations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Home Ground | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Stadium Capacity | 39000 |
| Owners | SUN Group |
| IPL Titles | 1 (2016) |
| Captain (2025) | Pat Cummins |
| Head Coach (2025) | Daniel Vettori |
About Sunrisers Hyderabad:
SRH entered the league without the glamour associated with older franchises, yet within a few seasons, they earned immense respect. The team’s early identity relied heavily on pace bowlers and tactical field placements, which often compensated for limited batting depth. Their 2016 title run marked a turning point it was a season where every player understood their role perfectly.
As the league evolved, so did SRH. They experimented with new batting cores, made tough leadership choices, and rebuilt after difficult transitions. Their focus remained the same: bowl well, stay composed, and compete deep into the tournament.
- 2013–2015: Built around disciplined bowling units
- 2016: Iconic title victory under David Warner
- 2017–2020: Consistent playoff finishes, strong balance
- 2021–2022: Turbulent seasons with squad resets
- 2023–2025: Rejuvenated leadership under Cummins and a new aggressive top order
SRH’s Ownership Details:
The franchise is owned by SUN Group, which has prioritized stability and steady growth over major overhauls. Their management style is measured rarely dramatic, always strategic. Long term planning shapes most of their decisions, from player development to branding.
| Period | Owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–Present | SUN Group | Focus on structured management and financial stability |
Captains Over The Years:
SRH’s captaincy journey reflects how the franchise has shifted between stability and reinvention. Each captain shaped the team’s personality in their own way Warner added aggression, Williamson added calmness, and Cummins brought clarity and intent.
| Captain | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | 2013 | Guided early squad structure |
| Shikhar Dhawan | 2013–2014 | Short leadership phase |
| David Warner | 2015–2020 | Most successful SRH captain |
| Kane Williamson | 2018–2022 | Led with composure |
| Aiden Markram | 2023 | Transition phase captain |
| Pat Cummins | 2024–2025 | Revived team direction |
Coaching And Support Staff:
SRH’s coaching group combines calm mentors with aggressive thinkers. They emphasize clarity letting players understand the “why” behind every tactical decision. The 2025 unit is a blend of analytical experience and emotional intelligence.
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Daniel Vettori |
| Assistant Coach | Simon Helmot |
| Batting Coach / Scout | Hemang Badani |
| Spin Bowling / Strategy Coach | Muttiah Muralitharan |
| Fast Bowling Coach | James Franklin |
| Fielding Coach | Dishant Yagnik |
Coaching Style: This staff focuses on developing situational awareness, encouraging intelligent shot selection, and refining bowling plans that adapt to different surfaces.
Major Achievements:
SRH’s milestones show a team that values consistency and resilience. Even during their low scoring seasons, they found ways to win through well executed bowling strategies.
- IPL Champions in 2016, powered by Warner and a strong bowling attack
- Finalists in 2018, showing depth across departments
- Known for defending challenging totals, especially at Hyderabad
- Built one of the IPL’s best bowling legacies with Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Steyn
- Reached playoffs multiple times with different captains
Why Fans Connect With SRH?
The team rarely relies on one superstar instead, they value collective effort. Fans admire their work ethic, humility, and ability to surprise stronger opponents.
Auction Strategy And Top Buys:
SRH’s auction approach is rarely emotional. They spend big only when the player brings leadership or irreplaceable value. Their investments in Cummins, Head, and Klaasen reflect a shift toward aggressive batting without losing their bowling identity.
| Player | Year | Price (₹ Crore) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heinrich Klaasen | 2025 (retained) | 23.00 | Highest paid SRH player ever |
| Pat Cummins | 2024 | 20.50 | Captain + key fast bowler |
| Travis Head | 2025 (retained) | 14.00 | Aggressive top order batter |
| Ishan Kishan | 2025 | 11.25 | Big buy for wicket keeping and top order |
| Nicholas Pooran | 2021 | 10.75 | Power hitting finisher |
Top Players In Sunrisers Hyderabad’s History:
SRH’s history is shaped by selfless cricketers who delivered crucial performances without always being headline names.
| Player | Role | Years | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Warner | Batter | 2014–2021 | Led SRH’s golden era |
| Kane Williamson | Batter | 2015–2022 | Stability in crunch moments |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler | 2014–2025 | Backbone of bowling unit |
| Rashid Khan | Bowler | 2017–2021 | One of IPL’s best spinners |
| Jonny Bairstow | Batter | 2019–2021 | Game changing opening stands |
| Pat Cummins | All Rounder | 2024–2025 | Transformative leadership |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Batter | 2023–2025 | SRH’s most dangerous finisher |
| Travis Head | Batter | 2024–2025 | New opening era |
| Abhishek Sharma | Batter | 2019–2025 | Breakout star of recent seasons |
| Umran Malik | Bowler | 2021–2025 | Rare raw pace talent |
Sponsors And Partnerships:
SRH’s sponsor list reflects a blend of regional loyalty and national brand trust. Many partners remain for multiple years, showing strong commercial confidence.
| Year | Title Sponsor | Kit Sponsor | Key Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | JK Lakshmi Cement | TYKA | Cars24 |
| 2022 | RuPay | TYKA | BKT |
| 2023 | BKT | TYKA | JioCinema |
| 2024 | BKT | TYKA | Rapido |
| 2025 | BKT | TYKA | Multiple partners |
How Sponsors Benefit: SRH’s steady reputation and South Indian reach make them a valuable partner for brands targeting a consistent and loyal audience.
Social Media Presence:
SRH’s digital voice is warm, friendly, and relatable often highlighting humorous team moments and personal stories. Their content feels less scripted, which strengthens their bond with fans.
| Platform | Link | Followers (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Website | sunrisershyderabad.in | – |
| instagram.com/sunrisershyd | 5.2 M | |
| X | x.com/SunRisers | 3.2 M |
| facebook.com/sunrisershyderabad | 6.8 M | |
| YouTube | youtube.com/SunrisersIPL | 1.45 M |
SRH Controversies:
SRH avoid major public controversies, but a few incidents created uncomfortable headlines. These moments mostly revolved around leadership changes and team management communication.
- David Warner’s sudden removal as captain in 2021 caused heavy fan backlash.
- Warner being benched later that season intensified criticism against management.
- Confusion around leadership roles in 2022 affected team morale.
- Debates surfaced over consistent underuse of young talent.
- Frequent strategic reshuffles before 2024 raised media questions.
Rival Teams And Big Matches:
SRH’s rivalries come from intense eliminators and pressure situations. These matchups are not just competitive but emotionally charged for both players and supporters.
- vs RCB: Famous for the 2016 final run and repeated eliminators
- vs CSK: Long history of crucial matches
- vs KKR: Rivalry shaped by playoff battles
- vs MI: Known for memorable last over finishes
Fan Perspective: These rivalries are rooted not in hostility but in high stakes cricket that produces unforgettable moments.
Season Summary:
SRH’s performances highlight their cyclical journey strong peaks and challenging rebuilding phases, but always competitive.
| Season | Captain | Position | Record | Key Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Warner | Champions | 11 W – 6 L | Warner |
| 2018 | Williamson | Runner Up | 10 W – 5 L | Rashid |
| 2020 | Warner | Playoffs | 7 W – 7 L | Holder |
| 2022 | Williamson | Mid Table | 6 W – 8 L | Umran Malik |
| 2023 | Markram | Last Place | 4 W – 10 L | Klaasen |
| 2024 | Cummins | Playoffs | 8 W – 6 L | Head |
| 2025 | Cummins | Playoffs | 9 W – 5 L | Abhishek Sharma |
Records And Stats:
SRH’s key records reveal how heavily they rely on strong bowling and controlled aggression.
- Highest total: 245
- Lowest total: 96
- Most runs: David Warner
- Most wickets: Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Best bowling: Rashid Khan 4 for 24
- Most sixes: Warner
- Longest winning streak: 6 matches
Interesting Facts About Sunrisers Hyderabad:
SRH have a distinctive personality shaped by their fans, playing style, and player culture.
- They defended one of the lowest totals in IPL history (118).
- Warner won three Orange Caps while playing for SRH.
- SRH discovered top talents like Umran Malik and Abhishek Sharma.
- Their 2016 playoff run is considered one of IPL’s most tactical campaigns.
- The team is known for its disciplined dressing room environment.
Conclusion:
Sunrisers Hyderabad continue to evolve as a team that blends composure with explosive talent. Their disciplined approach, strong captaincy under Cummins, and a fresh batting core make them one of the most balanced squads in the league. With steady development and a clear identity, SRH remain a contender every season, aiming to add another title to their name.
FAQs:
SRH follow a stable structure built around smart bowling plans, but they adjust their batting intent depending on the squad. Under Cummins, they have become more attacking in the powerplay compared to earlier seasons.
The Hyderabad surface often slows down as the game progresses, which helps their spinners and medium pacers. SRH usually plan to defend totals at home because the pitch rewards disciplined bowling.
Their bowling has traditionally been stronger than their chasing ability. Defending allows them to control the pace of the match and use their tactical field settings effectively.
Yes. SRH prepare specific plans for teams with powerplay hitters or strong finishers. Their approach is often matchup driven, especially in controlling strike rotation through middle overs.
Because SRH rely heavily on a structured system, any leadership change affects communication and clarity. This is why the Warner to Williamson transition and later shifts needed time to stabilize.
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