SRH Retention List: 4 Players Sunrisers Hyderabad May Retain Ahead of IPL 2025 Auction

Add as a preferred source on Google

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fell just short of their second Indian Premier League crown as the 2016 champions settled for runners up finish following a thumping 8-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday (May 26)

After three successive seasons of finishing outside the top four, the Sunrisers Hyderabad captained by Pat Cummins qualified for the playoffs in 2024 as the second-placed team and went all the way to the final, but could not end their 8-year wait for a trophy.

SRH, who lost only Wanindu Hasaranga before the season, had the whole squad available as they played some fearless cricket throughout the season, posting the highest total in IPL history. Their powerplay game was also top notch with the bat. However, their bowling was a mixed bag.

Like KKR, SRH too will be one of the sides that will want to continue next season with the same group. But, may be forced to rebuild again as the 2025 auction will be a mega auction, meaning only a limited number of players will be allowed to be retained.

Before the previous IPL Mega Auction in 2022, the Sunrisers had retained Kane Williamson, Abdul Samad and Umran Malik, who are unlikely to be retained again as the former was released two seasons ago, while the two Jammu Kashmir players have fallen down the pecking order.

With the emergence of several others in the bygone season, SRH will definitely want to retain most of them for the next season and beyond. But may be disappointed with the number of retentions being allowed.

Teams will reportedly be allowed only four retentions like the previous IPL Mega Auctions. However, there are also reports that the franchise owners have requested the BCCI to allow each team up to 8 retentions.

While there is no official confirmation on how many retentions will be allowed ahead of IPL 2025 Mega Auction, it is very likely that only a minimum of 4 players may be allowed to be retained by each team along with a Right To Match (RTM) card for every team.

If only 4 players are allowed to be retained, then SRH will face a big challenge on who to release and retain ahead of the next auction as they look to assemble a squad that could see them challenging and go one better in the next few seasons.

Which 4 players may Sunrisers Hyderabad retain ahead of IPL 2025 Auction?

There are several players who SRH would like to retain, but will be forced to release many ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction which could take place before the next season anywhere between December 2024 and February 2025.

Abhishek Sharma is likely to be the first pick for SRH. But who among the likes of Cummins, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Reddy, T Natarajan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will join the uncapped all-rounder in retention?

Heinrich Klaasen, who has been a consistent player in the T20 format, is likely to be the second retention before the next auction alongside Travis Head, who also did well in 2024. The Sunrisers, however, will face a huge task on who will be their final retention.

While Bhuvneshwar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Umran Malik, Abdul Samad and several other stars may be looked at during the auction, Cummins, Nitish Reddy and T Natarajan will be the options for the final retention. It’s very likely that SRH will go for the home grown Nitish.

Shahbaz Ahmed and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be on the minds of SRH think-tank for the RTM options, while a few players’ time at the franchise may have ended.

SRH will hope the retention slots are expanded, but won’t be too disappointed if that doesn’t happen as they could get Cummins for a little lower fee in the mega auction. If it’s only four retentions and one RTM, let's see the possible retention list of the Sunrisers:

SRH Retention List 2025

• Heinrich Klaasen - retained
• Abhishek Sharma - retained
• Travis Head - retained
• Nitish Reddy - retained/RTM
• T Natarajan - retained/RTM