After the conclusion of the IPL mega-auction, every franchise has almost built a quality arsenal for the upcoming IPL 2025. The previous edition finalists in 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad, have also built a strong side and are expecting another stunning season with their world-class skipper Pat Cummins.
Alongside Cummins, Sunrisers included the likes of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen, while the likes of the inclusions of Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, and Ishan Kishan have added further match-winners to their side.
After Pat Cummins recently hurt his ankle, he was reported to be doubtful for the Australian side in the ICC Champions Trophy, and hence he is likely under doubt for the upcoming season of the IPL as well.
Though IPL is still almost 2 months away from the date of writing, the SRH management would look to reconsider their decision on SRH skipper options if Cummins misses out on making an appearance for the IPL.
Three captaincy choices for SRH:
Abhishek Sharma
The Indian powerhouse went on to have a stunning season in the IPL 2024, as he scored 484 runs in the season, while he further went on to represent India in the shortest format of the game. Abhishek, in his short career, has scored a terrific hundred for Team India.
The opener has been retained for the upcoming season at a price of INR 14 crores, while he has had an exemplary season leading the Punjab side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well. Being quite a popular player, Abhishek can be considered an ideal option for the role of captain if Cummins misses out.
Travis Head
The destructive Australian left-handed opener who starred for the Sunrisers in the last season has scored 500+ runs in the IPL and also scored many runs in both international cricket and the MLC 2024 they played in.
Head has held onto his stunning form ever since 2023, across all three formats. Head led the Aussies against the English side recently in T20s, while he has led Adelaide Strikers as his BBL side on multiple occasions. Travis Head has also adapted to Cummins’ captaincy ideals and might adopt them, which might pave the way for SRH’s success.
Heinrich Klaasen
Heinrich Klaasen was recently seen leading the Proteas in the recently concluded series against Pakistan. In the ODI series, he single-handedly gave stunning performances, though matches could not end in a winning cause for South Africa.
Klaasen, who has many runs across global leagues, starred for SRH in IPL 2024 as he scored 400+ runs as well and was retained this season for INR 23 crores, even more than skipper Cummins. On several occasions, every gloveman is expected to read the field well and help the captain on similar occasions; therefore, Cummins can be likely replaced by the Proteas explosive wicketkeeper-batsman.
