Not Abhishek Sharma! These 3 players could power SRH to IPL 2026 glory
Published - 21 Mar 2026, 12:50 PM
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Abhishek Sharma has been the poster boy for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the past couple of Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons, but they have quietly built a dangerous team for the upcoming 2026 season. In this article, we predict the real match winners for the SRH in the IPL 2026.
As the upcoming season is set to get underway on March 28 with Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, everyone is talking about the explosive opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head.
3 players could power SRH to IPL 2026 glory
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But SRH’s real strength in the upcoming IPL 2026 could be dangerous players like Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, and Liam Livingstone, who bring balance, power, and control when it matters most. That is really important in the big tournaments like this league.
With Ishan taking charge as the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain in Pat Cummins’ absence for the start of the tournament, the Hyderabad team is looking like serious title contenders because of a strong mix of explosive batting and useful all-round options in their ranks.
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is coming into this season full of confidence. The left-handed batter looks like a different beast after coming back into the international arena on the back of his strong domestic run. He recently made crucial contributions to India’s T20 World Cup 2026 success.
His aggressive batting at the top can destroy any bowling attack within a few overs. However, this time, Ishan will have to lead the SRH from the front. As captain, the Indian opener will have to handle pressure, take big decisions, and guide a team full of match-winners.
Ishan has around 3000 runs at an average of 29.10 and a strike rate of 137.64 in the IPL to his name. He also hit 288 fours and 134 sixes in the tournament. Now, he would be eager to help SRH bring the cup home following a mixed debut season with the franchise in 2025.
Heinrich Klaasen
South Africa’s aggressive wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen can be SRH’s biggest game-changer in the upcoming season. If there is one player who can turn the match in just 10 balls, it is Klaasen. His clean hitting and fearless approach make him one of the most dangerous batters in T20 cricket.
Klaasen smashed bowlers all around the park last season, and his role in the middle overs will be crucial. One good knock from him can completely change the game for the SRH. The middle-order batter has amassed 487 runs at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 172.69 in the last season.
In the IPL overall, the Proteas star has scored 1,480 runs in 49 matches at a strike rate of 169.72, including 89 sixes. Across all T20 matches, Klaasen has a total of 341 sixes to his name.
Liam Livingstone
Sunrisers Hyderabad made a bold move by signing Liam Livingstone for a whopping INR 13 crore at the 2026 auction, and he could be the X-factor for them in the upcoming season. He is not just a power hitter but also a handy spinner who can break partnerships in the middle overs.
Livingstone brings all-round firepower with his ability to score aggressively in pressure situations, especially in the death overs, and his part-time spin gives the captain extra options, which can be very useful on slow pitches.
The Englishman has been a strong performer in the IPL, where he amassed 1,051 runs in 49 matches at a strike rate of 158.76, including 7 half-centuries. He also picked up 13 wickets in the league.
About the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ...
