IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Can Play the Role of Nicholas Pooran In SRH Squad

Under Kane Williamson, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) did not have the finest of seasons, coming in eighth place in the ten-team competition. Nicholas Pooran, who was one of the most expensive purchases in the IPL 2022 mega-auction, was released into the pool along with many others including their skipper Williamson.

This comes as a shock to many as Pooran had a decent total of 306 in the 14 games he played in the IPL this year, with just two half-centuries to his credit. In the past, he has shown that he has the ability to win games in the shortest version of the game. In addition to his powerpack batting, he is brilliant behind the stumps with gloves in his hands, which makes him a multifaceted player who can do the dual role. When he was with the Punjab Kings he showed that he can bring value with his fielding as well.

Shockingly, the batter went for a whopping sum in the 2023 auction as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) snapped him up for INR 16 crore. To be fair to Pooran, despite the oodles of talent he possesses, he hasn’t really taken the world by storm in recent years. Pooran will not be there for SRH this season. In that case, let’s have a look at three players who can play their role for the Orange Army in the IPL 2023.

3 Players Who Can Play the Role of Nicholas Pooran In SRH Squad For IPL 2023

3) Upendra Yadav

Uncapped at the IPL level, Upendra Yadav’s name is doing rounds in the domestic circuit.
The wicket-keeper batter is coming off good runs in both the domestic T20 and 50-over competitions- 179 runs at a strike rate of about 127 from seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games and 212 runs at an average of 42.40 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Sunrisers Hyderabad got him for INR 25 lakh after Mumbai Indians initiated the bid. SRH needed an Indian backup for their first-choice keeper options in Heinrich Klassen and Glenn Phillips. They’ve got an experienced one in Upendra for quite a cheap price. Notably, Upendra is the only Indian wicketkeeper in SRH’s squad for IPL 2023. If given an opportunity, the UP-born batter would want to prove his mettle in the toughest T20 league.

2) Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips, the New Zealand cricketer, is a four-dimensional player. Yes, he’s a 4D cricketer as he can bat, bowl, can keep the wickets, and can field as well. In the last few years for New Zealand at the top level, he hasn’t done a lot of keeping. Having said that, his fielding has gone to the next level. Phillips is a utility cricketer who can be a great asset to any T20 team. SRH has invested in him and he would love to make an impact with his performances.

An explosive and reliable middle-order batter who can take down any bowling lineup in the world, Phillips is a special talent. He has proved that on the international stage and he would be looking to make a mark in the IPL as well. He will have to keep the wickets if asked by the team management. The toss-up will be between him and Klaasen for the wicket-keeper role in the playing eleven.

1) Heinrich Klaasen

If SRH are looking for an in-form wicket-keeper batter for the role then South Africa’s dashing wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen can be their best bit. A great value buy in the 20-over format, Klaasen was bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for a whopping sum of INR 5.25 crore at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 mini-auction. He’s a brilliant all-round batter and can perform well under any situation in the middle order.

He is not entirely alien to the IPL arena, having represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the past. The Proteas star has showcased his ability in international cricket but for some reason, he hasn’t been able to repeat the same in the IPL. His last IPL match came in 2019. But still he’s likely to start ahead of Glenn Phillips for SRH.