IPL 2025: 3 players SRH might retain ahead of the mega-auction

After a few years of struggle, Sunrisers Hyderabad have finally built a perfect squad that can challenge for the title every year. In IPL 2024, the Pat Cummins-led side destroyed the majority of their opponents and scripted new records that may never be broken. They were ruthless with the bat and were very close to clinching the title but a poor show on the night of the final forced them to settle with silver.

Like the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, Hyderabad too aren’t in favour of the mega-auction that BCCI planned ahead of IPL 2025. In a meeting with other franchise heads and BCCI officials, Hyderabad cleared that they want to retain the maximum of their squad, given that it has taken them years to build. However, that is not something that’s going to happen. 

Whether they like it or not, Hyderabad will have to give up on the majority of their players ahead of the next season. BCCI is yet to take a call regarding the number of retentions and usage of RTM cards but whatever it may take, the franchise is not going to let these three players leave for the auction.

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Here are the three players who are most likely to be retained by SRH:

3. Heinrich Klaasen

South Africa international Heinrich Klaasen is arguably one of the best T20 batters in the world at the moment. He was destructive with the bat in IPL 2024, as the 33-year-old smacked 479 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 171.07. He was the difference maker in the middle order for Hyderabad and under no circumstances, the franchise will let him leave.

Klaasen was relatively a cheap buy as SRH managed to sign him for INR 5.25 crores. If they leave him for the auction, the Pretoria-born cricketer can even go for double or more and importantly, he will not be an easy buy as many franchises would be eager to sign him, given he is brilliant in keeping as well.

Meanwhile, the surfaces in India are changing drastically as many teams are now eager to play on flat pitches. Hyderabad are one of them as their home ground - Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium - produced a belter in the last edition. Things are unlikely to change ahead of the next season and if SRH eventually retains Klaasen, he can wreak havoc, yet again.