Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Sunrisers Hyderabad’s strategy in IPL 2026 auction. Chopra expressed surprise after the Orange Army didn’t bolster their bowling line-up in the mini auction.
The renowned commentator noted that SRH has a potent batting line-up, that can smash 300 runs in 20 overs but they can also concede that many runs. Earlier, SRH traded Mohammed Shami to Lucknow Super Giants before the auction.
“They have made their batting very strong. It could be 300-plus this time, but they might be hit for 300 as well. The opposing team might also hit 300. I hope it works out, because they will play an entertaining brand of cricket for sure, but is it a great strategy? I don’t know,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Meanwhile, SRH spent INR 13 crore to rope in the services of Liam Livingstone after a bidding war with LSG. Livingstone scored 122 runs in eight innings of IPL 2025 at an average of 16 and a strike rate of 133.33 while playing for RCB.
The England International scalped two wickets in five innings of the previous season. Chopra said Livingstone’s acquisition means Brydon Carse and Eshan Malinga will not get their chances in SRH’s playing XI.
“If you have taken Liam Livingstone, it means that you will play him for sure. That implies you won’t be able to play Eshan Malinga or Brydon Carse with the new ball, and that leaves you with nobody who actually bowls in the powerplay overs. It was a big takeaway that you let (Mohammad) Shami go. So at some stage, you need a pacer, a new-ball bowler. They have not got it,” he observed.
Chopra highlighted that SRH’s acquisition of Shivang Kumar after releasing Rahul Chahar isn’t an upgrade.
“After that, in spin, they let Rahul Chahar go. Zeeshan Ansari and Shivang Kumar are there. Shivang apparently is bowling well, but is it an upgrade? I don’t think so. So I am seeing a slight concern there,” he said.
