Coronavirus threats can be experienced all over the world. And it is no surprise that it has impacted sport at a global level. As a precautionary move, even the cricket matches and tours have either been canceled or postponed until the situation improves. Even the IPL 2020 has been deferred to a possible April 15 start.
However, what is even more concerning for IPL franchisees is the availability of overseas players. Due to a widespread coronavirus threat, players might not be willing to participate in the league which can be a huge setback to each franchise in the IPL. Also, the Indian government has disallowed visas to all tourists until April 15 which might cause even greater worries before the IPL.
As a result, we take a look at Sunrisers Hyderabad’s best playing XI sans overseas players in their IPL squad. Here’s an attempt to form the best Playing XI for SRH without any overseas player:
1. Openers: Wriddhiman Saha (Wk) and Shreevats Goswami
Wriddhiman Saha, who has opened the innings for Sunrisers in the past few seasons, is a perfect choice at the top of the order. Saha will be accompanied by his state teammate at Bengal in Shreevats Goswami. The right-left combination at the top of the order raises problems for any opposition and can work in SRH’s favor. Saha, who even has an IPL century to his name, tends to score runs at a quick pace in the first six overs in helping his team to the great foundation at the top of the order.
2. Middle-order: Manish Pandey (C), Priyam Garg, and Virat Singh
Manish Pandey, who has been a rock for SRH in the last few IPL editions, will undoubtedly walk into the team at No.3 spot. Being one of the most experienced players, Pandey will also lead the team. He will play the anchor’s role and can even allow the younger players to play around him. The likes of Priyam Garg and Virat Singh will form the rest of the middle-order for SRH. Though this looks like a much-inexperienced middle-order, Virat Singh comes with a reputation of a hard-hitter in the domestic circuit.
3. All-rounder: Vijay Shankar, and Abhishek Sharma
The most important part of a team’s composition, Vijay Shankar and Abhishek Sharma are the two all-rounders who will add balance to this line-up. Shankar, who is more than a handy all-rounder is technically correct and loves to play his shots. He can offer utility both with bat and ball. On the other hand, Abhishek can tonk the ball hard and can easily take up the finishers’ job in this playing XI. Sharma bowls effective left-arm spin to add to his impressive repertoire as a cricketer.
4. Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shahbaz Nadeem, Khaleel Ahmed, and Siddharth Kaul
In the bowling department, Sunrisers often rely on their Indian fast bowling crop including the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddharth Kaul, and Khaleel Ahmed. Bhuvaneshwar, as always, will lead the bowling group as the most experienced IPL bowler in the team. Kaul and Khaleel, who has been impressive for SRH in the last couple of seasons, will complete the rest of the fast bowling. Shahbaz Nadeem, who hasn’t featured a lot for SRH in the IPL, will play as the frontline spinner in the team.
