5 players SRH might eye in IPL auction to replace doubtful Bhuvneshwar Kumar
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar with Purple Cap
Senior India quick Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s career has been peppered with injuries lately. The injuries have cut short his glorious run in the national team. And it is now back to haunt his Indian Premier League stint too. Bhuvneshwar picked up a thigh injury during IPL 2020 in UAE and has been ruled out of any form of cricket for six months owing to it. While reports suggest he will return for the next season of the IPL, only time will tell if he will back to his best in such a short period.
With his availability doubtful for IPL 2021, it only makes sense for Sunrisers Hyderabad to scout a replacement for the veteran quick. Bhuvneshwar is the spearhead of the SRH attack and it is essential to bag a replacement for him while there is still time. With the likes of Sandeep Sharma and T Natarajan, Sunrisers need a dependable third speedster to back up the duo. So we bring to you a list of five players SRH might go after in the upcoming auction.
5. Kulwant Khejroliya
SRH is renowned as a team who has placed immense faith in young India quicks. Yarra Prithvi Raj, Siddarth Kaul, Basil Thampi and T Natarajan are instances when the Sunrisers have reaped the results of backing young Indian quicks. And Kulwant Khejroliya might be the next name on the list as SRH go searching for a promising young Indian quick. Khejroliya has three wickets to his name in five IPL games. The young quick, who has been part of Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, boasts of the economy rate of 7.49 with 17 wickets in his T20 career.
4. Tim Southee
With Bhuvneshwar likely to sit out this season, veteran Tim Southee might be the perfect replacement for him. The experienced Kiwi pacer has immense experience under his belt. And might prove to be a match-winner with the ball for SRH. Although Southee’s figures of 28 wickets in 40 IPL games are not impressive, he makes up for it with his experience. The Kiwi is in red hot form lately having scalped nine wickets in his last four T20I games.
3. Mustafizur Rahman
Former SRH speedster Mustafizur Rahman might be in the crosshairs of the franchise for the upcoming season. Mustafizur will be a like for like replacement for Bhuvneshwar given his prowess with the new ball and in the death. The Bangladesh speedster’s economy of 7.51 paired with his wicket-taking ability is exactly what the Sunrisers are looking for at the moment. Although Mustafizur didn’t receive a NOC from BCB to play in IPL 2020, he will likely be in the IPL 2021 Auction. And SRH could welcome him back to the franchise this season.
2. KV Sasikanth
Not many know about the upcoming fast bowler KV Sasikanth but he is much likely to break into the scene in IPL 2021. Sasikanth was the most successful bowler for Andhra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019. The right-arm medium-pace bowler took 10 wickets in five matches last year. As SRH boasts some big names in the fast bowling unit, Sasikanth can be a handy option his some medium pace and wicket-taking skills. Sasikanth is handy with the bat as well and the Sunrisers can groom him into a star player in future.
1. Mitchell Starc
Having missed the last couple of seasons in the IPL, Australia quick Mitchell Starc is all set to return to action in IPL 2021. The big left-arm quick doesn’t require much of an introduction. Starc is yet another like for like replacement for Bhuvneshwar who will be under the hammer for the upcoming season. The Aussies deadly yorkers, brisk pace and plethora of variations might prove to be the deal-breaker for SRH. Although Starc was rusty in his return to international cricket post-pandemic, he is expected to get back his rhythm with the T20 World Cup around the corner.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
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