The countdown to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has already generated massive excitement among cricket fans across the globe. The highly anticipated season is set to begin on March 28, with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) taking on defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening clash. With teams preparing their strategies and combinations, discussions around the best possible playing XIs have started gaining momentum.
Former India cricketer and well-known commentator Aakash Chopra recently shared his ideal playing XI for Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the new season. Chopra picked a lineup packed with aggressive batters, versatile all-rounders, and experienced bowlers, suggesting that the franchise could be a strong contender in the upcoming tournament.
Aakash Chopra shares his SRH XI for IPL 2026
Chopra’s suggested lineup begins with an explosive opening pair featuring Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. Both players have earned a reputation for attacking batting in the powerplay, and Chopra believes their aggressive approach could give SRH strong starts throughout the season.
At number three, Chopra placed wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who adds left-handed balance and the ability to accelerate the scoring rate. Following him is the destructive South African batter Heinrich Klaasen, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous middle-order hitters in T20 cricket.
The middle order in Chopra’s XI features Nitish Kumar Reddy and England’s dynamic all-rounder Liam Livingstone. This duo provides both power-hitting and useful bowling options, adding depth to the lineup. Chopra also included young batter Aniket Verma in the XI, highlighting the importance of giving emerging talents opportunities on the big stage.
The bowling attack in his team is led by SRH captain Pat Cummins, whose leadership and pace-bowling abilities have been crucial for the franchise. Chopra suggested that the team could use either Zeeshan Ansari or Shivang Kumar as a spin option depending on conditions. The pace department is completed by experienced left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat and young fast bowler Shivam Mavi, both of whom can provide crucial breakthroughs in different phases of the innings.
Also READ: ‘Shame on Kavya Maran’ – Sunrisers owner faces backlash for signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred Auction
Star-studded side ready to dominate the cash-rich league
Chopra’s selected XI reflects a strong balance between explosive batting and a versatile bowling attack. With players like Head, Kishan, and Klaasen capable of scoring quickly, SRH possess one of the most dangerous batting lineups in the tournament.
The inclusion of all-rounders such as Nitish and Livingstone adds further flexibility, allowing the team to adapt to different match situations. Meanwhile, the presence of Cummins brings valuable leadership and experience, particularly in high-pressure encounters.
If this combination clicks during the tournament, Sunrisers Hyderabad could emerge as one of the most formidable teams in IPL 2026. With the season opener against RCB fast approaching, fans will be eager to see whether SRH adopt a similar combination on the field.
Aakash Chopra’s playing XI of SRH for IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Liam Livingstone, Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins, Zeeshan Ansari/Shivang Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Shivam Mavi.
Also READ: Amid Kavya Maran backlash, Daniel Vettori explains Sunrisers’ decision to sign Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred Auction 2026