3 Players Sunrisers Hyderabad might release ahead of the IPL 2019

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been one of the most competitive teams since their inception in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 2013 season saw their arrival and were best known for their bowling attack which lead them to the playoffs. They had hard-hitting all-rounders in Thisara Perera and Darren Sammy who could add some valuable runs down the order and chip in with some crucial wickets.

Gradually, the Sunrisers also became a batting powerhouse, riding on David Warner’s, Shikhar Dhawan‘s and Kane Williamson’s exploits. Ben Cutting and Moises Henriques made strong cases for the all-rounders’ spots and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Siddharth Kaul perfectly filled the fast bowlers’ slots with the former being the go-to death bowler for them.

In 2016, the Sunrisers Hyderabad emerged victorious in the final against the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore. David Warner was the second highest run-scorer with a staggering 848 runs with Bhuvneshwar Kumar grabbing the purple cap, taking 23 wickets.

Warner’s absence in the last season left a big void in the top of the order, however, the captaincy was done brilliantly by Kane Williamson. In spite of this, Hyderabad marginally missed out on their second title to Chennai Super Kings.

Here we look at some of the players who they might release ahead of the auction:

1. Carlos Brathwaite

The towering hard-hitting West Indian all-rounder came into limelight in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2016 against England. His 24 runs in four deliveries off the last over, bowled by Ben Stokes, led Windies to their second World Twenty20 title. His effortless exploits in those four deliveries earned him an IPL contract with Delhi Daredevils initially.

He was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last season for INR 2 crores. Playing only four games, he took five wickets. However, his bowling had been below par and proved to be detrimental in the playoff match against the Chennai Super Kings. He couldn’t display his ability on the batting aspect either.

Brathwaite’s release seems on the cards since Shakib Al Hasan and Deepak Hooda have certainly proved their mettle in recent times. Roping in someone like Sam Curran, a frontline left-arm bowler and a more than useful batsman has been a very good find for England. He could do wonders for the Sunrisers.