There have been speculations regarding key trade coming ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. As per latest reports, several star players are likely to leave their old franchises and join a new team
ahead of IPL 2026. These are only rumours before the franchises or players make any official confirmations. However, there are some franchises which need to fill some gaps in their squad and prepare a strong squad for the 19th season of the Indian Premier League.
One of those teams is Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The runners-up of IPL 2024 had a disappointing season in 2025 and failed to continue their fiery batting from the previous season. Talking about their bowling, SRH had star pacer like skipper Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, and Harshal Patel which made them look like a formidable side ahead of IPL 2025. However, the things were completely different when the season took off as they weren’t able to make any impact.
One of the players to whom SRH players had high hopes for IPL 2025 was Mohammed Shami. The star Indian pacer was making his return in IPL after two years and finished as leading wicket-taker in the last season he played in 2023. However, he looked completely out of touch in IPL 2025 and finished with just six wickets in nine matches. It is likely that SRH might release Shami ahead of IPL 2026 auction and look for a pacer who can turn out to be a match-winner for them in the upcoming auction.
Let’s have a look at the top three fast bowlers that SRH can target in the IPL 2026 auction:
1. Kagiso Rabada
Star South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada was a part of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 after the franchise bought him for INR 10.75 Crore in the mega auction last year. However, the right-arm pacer didn’t get much chances in the season as he played only four matches throughout the season. Apart from that, players like Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj turned out to be effective pacers for GT. Now, the 2022 champions are likely to release Rabada ahead of IPL 2026 auction. If this happens, SRH are likely to show interest to get the Protea pacer in their squad via trade or make a bid in the upcoming auction.
2. Ishant Sharma
Another fast bowler from Gujarat Titans, Ishant Sharma is likely to get picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026 auction. The veteran India pacer was picked by GT for INR 75 Lakh in the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, he didn’t fit in GT’s scheme of things and has been an underperformer taking four wickets in seven matches. It is more likely that GT might release him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction and SRH might show interest to get the star Indian pacer in their squad for the 19th IPL edition. He can form a good pair with skipper Pat Cummins and can become a spearhead pacer for SRH in IPL 2026.
3. Mitchell Starc
Another pacer which can be in SRH’s scheme of things for IPL 2026 could be star Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc. He played for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 after getting picked for INR 11.75 Crore. Starc took 14 wickets from 11 matches and also registered a few match-winning spells. However, there are chances that DC releases him ahead of IPL 2026 auction and SRH can be among the first franchise to get him in their squad via trade or a bid in the auction. If SRH gets Starc in IPL 2026, he can form a dangerous pair with his national captain Pat Cummins as the Australian bowling duo can make headlines in the 19th edition.
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