IPL 2026: Aakash Chopra picks his probable Sunrisers Hyderabad’s playing XI

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has picked Sunrisers Hyderabad’s probable playing XI ahead of the start of the 2026 IPL season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will be without captain Pat Cummins for the initial rounds of the season, as he is currently out with a lumbar stress issue, having missed four out of five Ashes Tests and the 2026 T20 World Cup. Furthermore, Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards will miss the entire season with a foot injury, while doubts exist over Sri Lankan seamer Eshan Malinga as well, owing to a shoulder issue.

Chopra has opined that SRH has a solid batting unit until no.8, with the addition of Brydon Carse, their only fit overseas fast-bowler.

“What could be the playing XI? Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Liam Livingstone and Aniket Verma, you have got this fantastic batting lineup, followed by Brydon Carse. So you have absolutely solid batting till No. 8,” he said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

According to Chopra, SRH’s bowling would consist of Jaydev Unadkat, Harshal Patel and Shivam Mavi, with Zeeshan Ansari or Shivang Kumar as the spinner. Mavi can bowl with the new ball, while Harshal can cover at the death. Carse gives them the flexibility to bowl at both ends of the innings, according to the former KKR man.

“After that, Jaydev Unadkat, Harshal Patel, Zeeshan Ansari/Shivang Kumar/Shivam Mavi. This is the kind of setup that you need to have. I see Shivam Mavi playing. He can bowl with the new ball and Harshal Patel can catch the tail. Brydon Carse can be seen bowling at both ends, and then you get either Shivang Kumar or Zeeshan Ansari to bowl in the middle,” he elaborated.

Chopra believes that SRH will need to use their all-rounders more, getting overs from the likes of Liam Livingstone, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. He has singled out Ishan Kishan as the highest run-scorer and Harshal Patel as the highest wicket-taker in this season for the team in orange.

“You will have to use the all-rounders a little more, in which Liam Livingstone will be there, and a few overs of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Who could be this team’s highest run-scorer? I would say Ishan Kishan. Highest wicket-taker? I would say Harshal Patel,” Chopra reckoned.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their campaign against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.