Sunrisers Hyderabad had a very poor outing in the IPL 2023. Aiden Markram was named the captain of the SRH franchise after he had led the sister franchise of Hyderabad in the SA20 to the title. Markram has also been South Africa’s captain in limited overs for quite some time and is tipped to be the next captain of the side.
SRH had shown much faith in Markram to deliver the results, but he failed to do so and his batting also suffered along with it. However, the composition of the side was also to be blamed a bit and Markram might get another chance to showcase his captaincy acumen in IPL once more. But SRH management is known for removing captains after a single bad season, as they did with David Warner and Kane Williamson in the past.
Therefore, with that in consideration, we take a look at three players, including some who were bought in the IPL 2024 auction, who can replace Markram as SRH captain in IPL 2024.
Here are the three players who can replace Aiden Markram as SRH captain in the upcoming IPL season:
3. Travis Head
Travis Head in 1st T20. (Photo Source: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Travis Head was a steal for Sunrisers Hyderabad side in the IPL 2024 auction. Travis Head, the Player of the Match in the semi-final and final of the ICC World Cup 2023 for Australia, comes with multiple abilities as he can open the innings, bat in the middle order, and even be a finisher. He can bowl off-spin and also keep wickets if needed.
However, the best trait of Head is that he is the vice-captain of the Australia team in limited overs and is likely to lead the team in the absence of Pat Cummins when the opportunity occurs. He has captained in the Big Bash League previously and is part of the Australian team leadership group. He is also 30 years old and can be a long-term option for SRH as captain.
Also check: 3 Players who can replace MS Dhoni as CSK Captain in IPL 2025
2. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (Photo Source : Twitter)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one player on whom Sunrisers Hyderabad have a lot of trust. He has been retained and picked by SRH in auctions since 2013 and Kumar has repaid the faith with a wonderful display of pace bowling. He was officially named the vice-captain of the side in IPL 2018.
He captained SRH in eight matches and has won two of them. He had also captained SRH in its opening match of the IPL 2023 in Markram’s absence. Though the record is not in Bhuvneshwar’s favour, he has the will and leadership qualities to be given the captaincy role for an entire season.
Also check: SRH Team 2024 Player List
1. Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
The ICC Cricketer of the Year and Captain to win both the World Test Championship and the World Cup for Australia in the same year in 2023, Pat Cummins is the best option for SRH to name captain for the IPL 2024. Sunrisers Hyderabad paid Pat Cummins a whopping sum of INR 20.50 Cr in the IPL 2024 auction.
And Cummins’ record as Australia captain which has been excellent as he levelled the Ashes 2023, has 12 wins in 15 ODIs he has captained in. Even in the IPL, Cummins has an excellent record with the ball taking 45 wickets in 42 games, and even has a 14-ball fifty to his name. Given his proven captaincy record for Australia, SRH should bet on Cummins to lead them in the IPL 2024.