SRH has been playing the IPL since 2013 and has had great seasons, especially under David Warner when they won their first title in 2016. A decently consistent performer in the domestic T20 league, SRH have had many great runs over the years, making it quite a few times to the playoffs and even making it to the finals in 2018.
After such a wonderful run over these years, they are disappointed with their continuous failures over the last two editions, as they failed miserably in these two editions.
Strengths
The SRH middle order has an amazing set of players in their middle-order. The major 4 batters include Rahul Tripathi, English sensation Harry Brook, ICC-featured better Phillips and the inform protea Heinrich Klaasen. These four can prove to be the most eminent cricketers in this year’s IPL and together they can march their team towards victory.
Another major void that SRH faced in their squad in 2022 was a full-time spin-bowling option, this is, however, filled with the arrival of Adil Rashid who can prove to be a competent spinner which is an asset in the subcontinent.
SRH has another formidable strength in having one of the most balanced fast-bowling attacks in the tournament. The trio of Bhuvi-Natrajan-Umran is a perfect combination of swing, pace and variation in the IPL.
Another big advantage to the SRH team is their pool of backup players, which includes Markram, Jansen, Farooqi and other capable Indian domestic players.
Weaknesses
The middle order seems to consist of reliable players, they are individually skillful players, but as overseas cricketers from different cricketing nations they do not have much game time together.
A kiwi, an Englishman, a Protea, and an Indian who are personally wonderful cricketers, would find it hard to share batting chemistry on the crease due to their limited game time together.
Though the SRH squad looks very formidable, SRH does not have any quality backups for their frontline Indian pacers, as overseas pacers cannot take their place. This remains to be a persistent void in the team.
Opportunities
After repeated failures in the last two or three editions of the IPL, SRH fans and the management would be desperate for a promising season and with such a good team they would look to fancy their chances in the title race.
IPL 2023 is a possible pot of opportunities for young speed gun Umran Malik who has already made it to the national side and is looking to seal his spot in the team. The same stands for Rahul Tripathi who is already recognised as a T20 option by the Indian team and his prominence in the league can seal his fate.
SRH bought ex-PBKS skipper Mayank in the mini-auction of 2023 and he now has the chance to prove his merit once again as a batsman and to make a national side comeback.
Threats
The SRH squad is very formidable, with no such notable threats. However, Harry Brook, the biggest bid of SRH this year is a little matter of concern for them, as he has opted out of participation in various T20 leagues around the world due to his extreme work pressure. His loss of touch in limited-overs cricket, especially T20s, can put an adverse effect on his form.
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