Former Team India batter and opener Abhinav Mukund criticized Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling and the franchise’s auction strategies ahead of IPL 2026. After an incredible run to the final in 2024, SRH returned to earth last year, finishing sixth and missing out on play-off qualification.
While their batting could not replicate the heroics of 2024 IPL into 2025, the bowling has been their biggest bane over the past two years. Yet, SRH’s biggest buy at the 2026 auction was an overseas batting all-rounder, Liam Livingstone, for Rs. 13 crores.
Abhinav Mukund Lashes Out at SRH’s bowling and overall outlook as well
Speaking on ESPN Cricinfo about SRH’s bowling and overall outlook, Abhinav Mukund said: “If their batting is a 10, their bowling is a 1, with a very big drop off. Their batting will hurt teams, and it’s the strongest in the competition. Just that makes them dangerous on a flat Hyderabad track. But the drop-off is too much in the bowling. They have so many who’ve not even played in the IPL. You came with a lot of money to the auction, and you ended it on Liam Livingstone when you already have Klaasen, Head, and Abhishek Sharma.”Â
Abhinav Mukund added: “They have a very inexperienced bowling line-up with guys who aren’t making their own first-class sides. Many are picked based on just scouting from the trials. I am surprised at how they have constructed their team. In the years they’ve done well, they’ve had Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Natarajan doing really well for them. But now it looks like Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat have to front-load this attack.”Â
SRH will also be without regular skipper Pat Cummins due to injury, resulting in Ishan Kishan leading the side at the start of the competition.
Faf du Plessis questioned SRH’s tactics as well
Former South African captain Faf du Plessis questioned SRH’s strategy of trying to lead their batting to outbat the opposition despite the plan backfiring in IPL 2025. The Orange Army boasts an incredible batting line-up on paper, with Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, and Nitish Kumar Reddy among others.
Speaking on ESPN Cricinfo, Faf du Plessis said: “It’s happened only one season where they shot the lights out with the bat. Last year wasn’t exactly the same in terms of batting returns. They tried the same template of outbatting opponents, but the wickets weren’t as flat, and they didn’t do well as a batting department. I would say that’s a lot of eggs in one basket.”Â
Faf du Plessis further added: “In that, Abhishek is not in great form. Heinrich Klaasen has had a quiet year, and Travis Head has had a quiet World Cup. Liam Livingstone hasn’t done well in the IPL and isn’t even part of the England side. There is a chance this’ll come right, but you are asking a lot.”Â
SRH will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on the opening day of the competition, taking on defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 28th.
It remains to be seen what kind of season SRH has at the end of it all. Last season was below average and sub-par. Their bowling stocks still looks weak and with Pat Cummins unavailable for the major part of the tournament, it looks like trouble for the Orange army. As the saying goes, batters win you matches, but bowlers win you tournaments. SRH lacks in bowling and that might come back to haunt them towards the latter part of the tournament.
SRH will like to set the record straight and try and upstage RCB in the opening clash of the tournament in Bengaluru. It won’t be easy, but don’t be surprised, if SRH are able to spoil RCB’s party in Bengaluru first-up.
Also Read:Â IPL 2026: 5-Time Winners MI Aiming For Record 6th Title.