Chopra opined that SRH would likely not retain one of their biggest stars.
The retention deadline for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) auction is approaching soon, with the date set for October 31.
While the teams remain busy with finalising their retention list and auction strategy, former India cricketer-turned-pundit Aakash Chopra has made an explosive prediction about Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Chopra opined that SRH would likely not retain their biggest star and skipper Pat Cummins, who led the franchise to a runners-up finish last season.
The 47-year-old further highlighted that the uncertainties surrounding Cummins’ availability might convince SRH not to pay an excessive amount to retain him.
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In a video on his Youtube channel, Chopra said, “Pat Cummins has said that he doesn’t know whether he will come for the IPL or not because other things are there, that it’s a non-stop treadmill, it is difficult, the priorities are different, the tentpoles are the Ashes and World Cups, and it’s okay if the IPL fits in somewhere in between. He also said that new rules have come.”
“Although he even added that he hasn’t ever missed, he has never gone back after putting his name in the auction. However, Mitchell Starc and other players have gone. I feel the SunRisers Hyderabad won’t retain him. They won’t give him 18 crores. I am getting a feeling like that although he bowled and captained well,” he added.
For the unversed, according to the new retention rules, all IPL franchises will incur costs of INR 18 crore, INR 14 crore, and INR 11 crore for their first three capped player retentions. If they retain two additional capped players, the cycle will repeat again and the team’s budget will be reduced further by INR 18 crore and INR 14 crore.
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