Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is known for building a squad with young Indian talent and giving them opportunities to shine on the grand stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL). As every team has to submit the name of their retained players by 31st October 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad will now look to come up witih a strong team.
In IPL 2024, two Indian players Abhishek Sharma and Nitish Reddy performed exceptionally well for SRH. While Abhishek Sharma opened the inning with Travis Head, Nitish Reddy came with his powerful hitting in middle-order for SRH.
Abhishek Sharma IPL 2024 Performance
- Matches Played: 16
- Runs Scored: 484
- Highest Score: 75*
- Batting Average: 32.26
- Centuries: 0
- Wickets Taken: 2
- Best Bowling: 2/24
- Bowling Average: 25.50
- Catches: 7
Abhishek Sharma has been a key player for SRH, particularly as a versatile all-rounder. With 484 runs in 16 matches, he was a consistent performer with the bat, averaging 32.26. Though he didn’t score a century, his ability to anchor innings and provide quick runs along with his Australian batting partner makes him a valuable asset. His highest score of 75* indicates his ability to play long innings and bat through crucial phases of the game.
Sharma’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball adds an extra dimension to his game. Though his primary role is that of a top-order batter, he can bowl some useful overs of left-arm spin as seen with his 2 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 25.50. His best bowling figures of 2/24 show that while he may not be a front-line bowler, his part-time spin can break partnerships, especially on slower tracks. He also contributed with 7 catches.
Strengths:
- Consistency with the Bat: Scoring close to 500 runs in a season demonstrates Abhishek’s ability to be a mainstay in SRH’s batting lineup.
- Batting Adaptability: His strike rate and average show that he can accelerate when required or settle in for the long haul, making him flexible depending on the match situation.
- Handy Bowling Option: While he is not primarily relied upon for wickets, his ability to pick up occasional breakthroughs adds depth to the SRH bowling attack.
- Fielding: With 7 catches, Sharma has shown that he is reliable in the field, and can add value in crucial moments with his fielding prowess.
Nitish Reddy IPL 2024 Performance
- Matches Played: 13
- Runs Scored: 303
- Highest Score: 76*
- Batting Average: 33.66
- Centuries: 0
- Wickets Taken: 3
- Best Bowling: 2/17
- Bowling Average: 51.00
- Catches: 5
Overview of Nitish Reddy’s Contribution:
Nitish Reddy is a young, upcoming all-rounder who played 13 matches in IPL 2024, scoring 303 runs at an average of 33.66. While his runs tally is lower than Abhishek’s, his higher average shows that he has the potential to build innings and contribute in crucial moments. His highest score of 76* suggests that when given the opportunity, he can step up and play match-defining innings.
However, as a bowler, Nitish was less effective compared to Abhishek. He managed to take just 3 wickets in 13 games at an average of 51.00. While his best bowling figures of 2/17 indicate that he can be effective in short bursts, his inability to consistently take wickets makes him less valuable as a bowler. While fielding Nitish took 5 catches, which indicates decent fielding, but it does not particularly stand out compared to Abhishek’s 7 catches.
Strengths:
- Better Batting Average: With an average of 33.66, Nitish has demonstrated his capability to stay at the crease and score runs at a decent strike rate.
- Match-winning Potential: His highest score of 76* shows that he can play impactful innings, particularly under pressure.
- Young and Developing: At this stage of his career, Nitish is still learning and could improve in areas like bowling and fielding with more exposure.
Weaknesses:
- Ineffective Bowling: With only 3 wickets in 13 matches and a high bowling average of 51.00, Nitish hasn’t contributed much with the ball.
- Less Experience: Compared to Abhishek, Nitish has played fewer matches, and his overall impact on games has been relatively less noticeable.
Who Should SRH Retain for IPL 2025?
When comparing the two, Abhishek Sharma emerges as the more complete package for SRH going into IPL 2025. Here’s why:
- Batting Impact: Abhishek’s 484 runs in 16 matches outshines Nitish’s 303 in 13 matches. While Nitish has a marginally better batting average (33.66 vs. Abhishek’s 32.26), Abhishek’s ability to score more runs and play more consistently gives him the edge.
- All-round Abilities: Abhishek is a genuine all-rounder. While his primary skill lies in batting, he offers a reliable spin-bowling option with a much better bowling average (25.50) compared to Nitish’s 51.00.
- Fielding: Both players are reliable fielders, but Abhishek’s 7 catches indicate a greater impact on the field compared to Nitish’s 5.
- Experience and Maturity: Abhishek has played more matches and has been a part of SRH for a longer period, which gives him an understanding of the team’s dynamics and requirements. He has already proven himself as a key member of the squad while Nitish Reddy has still a long way to go.
