Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have completed their roster of players and allocation of salaries to their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season following the conclusion of the mini auction at Abu Dhabi and earlier retention decisions. The franchise began the auction process in hopes of bolstering its team after a difficult 2025 season which did not make it to the playoffs. It is now assembling a well-balanced squad that includes international stars, experienced local players, and promising talent that isn’t yet capped.
The SRH management, led by Captain Pat Cummins and supported by head coach Daniel Vettori, adopted a carefully planned strategy for the auction, which emphasized the top order’s firepower along with all-round depth as well as the retention of match winners. The process of developing the squad involved the retention of key players from previous seasons and releasing a number of contracted cricketers, as well as acquiring new players at the auction in order to fill the remaining slots.
Retention Decisions and Released Players
In the lead up to auction day, SRH confirmed a list of players who were retained, and made up the team’s backbone. The list of players retained included stars with high impact and the central figures on which the franchise has been developing its 2026 strategy. The list included:
- Pat Cummins (Captain)
- Travis Head
- Abhishek Sharma
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Ishan Kishan
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Harshal Patel
- Brydon Carse
- Jaydev Unadkat
- Eshan Malinga
- Kamindu Mendis
- Zeeshan Ansari
- Other national performers in team roles.
However, SRH released a group of players in order to free up money and make room for new purchases during the auction mini. The notable names on the list include Adam Zampa, Rahul Chahar Wiaan Muller, Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Sachin Baby, and Simarjeet Singh.
Mini Auction Purchases and Squad Composition
In the IPL 2026 mini auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered targeted purchases that matched their plan to increase depth and not significantly alter the team’s backbone. The most notable deal of the evening included England the all-rounder Liam Livingstone, acquired for 13 crore rupees. Livingstone’s acquisition was noteworthy since he was initially not sold during the initial round of bidding, but SRH signed him during a highly competitive final round which added a strong middle order option in their roster.
Other auction purchases include Australian All-rounder Jack Edwards, Indian domestic players such as Salil Arora, Shivam Mavi, Shivang Kumar, Sakib Hussain Omkar Tarmale Amit Kumar Praful Hinge, and Krains Fuletra. The Indian additions are viewed as investments in the potential and the future depth of squad.
Full Squad and Salary Details
The entire Sunrisers Hyderabad squad for IPL 2026 as well as specific player salary figures derived from auction buys and retentions Below:
| Player | Salary (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Heinrich Klaasen | 23 crore |
| Pat Cummins | 18 million |
| Travis Head | 14 crore |
| Abhishek Sharma | 14 crore |
| Liam Livingstone | 13 crore |
| Ishan Kishan | 11.25 crore |
| Harshal Patel | 8 crore |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 6 million |
| Jack Edwards | 3 million |
| Salil Arora | 1.5 million |
| Eshan Malinga | 1.20 crore |
| Brydon Carse | 1 million |
| Jaydev Unadkat | 1 million |
| Kamindu Mendis | 75 lakh |
| Shivam Mavi | 75 lakh |
| Zeeshan Ansari | 40 lakh |
| Onkar Tarmale | 30 lakh |
| Amit Kumar | 30 lakh |
| Shivang Kumar | 30 lakh |
| Krains Fuletra | 30 lakh |
| Sakib Hussain | 30 lakh |
| Ravichandran Smaran | 30 lakh |
| Praful Hinge | 30 lakh |
| Harsh Dubey | 30 lakh |
The roster features eight international players, demonstrating a plan that combines international talent with depth in the domestic market and makes use of the full team limit of 25 players allowed under IPL rules.
Strategic Focus and Squad Balance
The continued presence of a strong core of players like Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma shows SRH’s commitment to a fast-paced batting strategy with a range of bowling options. Ishan Kishan’s presence gives left-handed balance to the batting, while Harshal Patel as well as Nitish Kumar Reddy provide the experience and capabilities of all players. The inclusion of uncapped talent is designed to give the team flexibility in a variety of match conditions throughout the year.
The management of the franchise has remained prudent with its finances and has spent around Rs119.55 crore from its funds and keeping a modest remaining balance, which indicates that they are all-in to putting together a team that is competitive to the season 2026.
The team is a reflection of the overall strategy of SRH to fill the performance gaps of the previous season, by combining experienced international players, energetic Indian players as well as emerging talents. As the team gears up for the start of IPL 2026, their focus will turn to finalizing the team’s lineup and tactical options to maximize the effectiveness of the squad during the forthcoming tournament.
