IPL 2020: 5 all-rounders who can replace Shakib Al Hasan at SRH

In what came as a shocking revelation for Bangladesh cricket and the entire cricketing fraternity, Shakib Al Hasan was handed a ban of two years by the ICC for failing to report approaches by bookies on multiple occasions. One of the best all-rounders in the business, Shakib accepted his sanctions as he was found guilty on three charges under the ICC Anti Corruption Code.

Shakib, who will serve one year of a suspended ban, is expected to comply with the anti-corruption code of the apex body by attending their educational program and spreading awareness about the need to make the sport corruption-free. He will be allowed to resume his cricketing duties from next year, in October 2020.

As a result, the experienced campaigner will also miss the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year. This will be a huge loss for Sunrisers Hyderabad, as it leaves the franchise with a huge void to fill in place of a quality overseas all-rounder.

Though Shakib had very little role to play for SRH in the last season, he has been a consistent member of the side and a senior pro for Hyderabad in the past few years.

The upcoming IPL auction now becomes even more important for SRH as they will aim to get their act right in terms of the balance of their squad. The franchise will have certain all-rounders on their radar, who they can rely upon in IPL 2020.

Here, we take a look at five such all-rounders who can replace Shakib Al Hasan at SRH in IPL 2020:

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#5 Mahmudullah

Mahmudullah

Hours after Shakib's ban was announced, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) nominated Mahmudullah as the man to lead Bangladesh in their upcoming T20I series against India. One of the senior members in the side, Mahmudullah has had the experience of captaining the national side and was asked to step up on another occasion for his team.

Being a prolific T20 player himself, the 33-year-old has a lot to offer even in the shortest format of the game. He possesses plenty of T20 experience, having played in 200 of them, and has made contributions in both departments.

Mahmudullah is a compact batsman with a strike rate nearing 120 in T20s, to complement his 99 T20 wickets courtesy his handy off-spin. That suggests he would be a reliable all-rounder for any team.

As a like-to-like replacement for his national teammate at SRH, Mahmudullah could bat in the middle-order in the upcoming edition. After finding no buyers in IPL 2019, this might be the opportunity which could enhance his reputation even in the shortest format of the game.

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#4 Moises Henriques

Moises Henriques

The 32-year-old Australian batsman first made it to the IPL in the 2009 edition, and since then has plied his trade for various franchises. Moises Henriques was a part of the winning Sunrisers team in 2016 as a vital member of the squad, and one of their top-run getters in the season.

In the last IPL auction, Henriques was bought by Kings XI Punjab at his base price for INR 1 crore but he failed to get a game in the entire season. Being a potent batsman and a canny seam bowler, the New South Wales all-rounder can interest his former franchise with a bid in the upcoming IPL auction.

Henriques can even bat in the top order and play as an accumulator, while others bat around him.

He would be coming in on the back of a decent first-class season for New South Wales. Hyderabad had previously shown faith in the all-rounder, and might once again consider him for IPL 2020.

#3 Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes

The English all-rounder has been a regular for England in each of the three formats for quite some time now. Chris Woakes, who missed the last IPL season in order to serve his national team, might once again attract huge bids in the auction this year.

He had a really successful English summer, which would surely raise his stock and put him in great demand in the December auction this year.

Woakes might also attract a bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad as one of their key overseas players going forward in the league. The franchise would want to rope in the 30-year-old considering what he brings to the table.

One of the best seam bowling all-rounders in the world, the Warwickshire player has had a mixed outing in his two seasons so far in the IPL. In 18 matches, Woakes has bagged 25 wickets with nearly no opportunity to showcase his talent with the bat.

He could be a great asset for Hyderabad given he can bowl with the new ball as well as at the death. Woakes also has the ability to tonk the ball a long way with the bat, and has played a few blinders for England batting in the lower-order.

#2 James Neesham

James Neesham

The Kiwi all-rounder has plied his trade for various franchises in leagues across the globe. A successful player for his national team, James Neesham almost won New Zealand the World Cup in 2019 after he was entrusted with the job in the Super Over. Neesham brought the team close but failed to get his side over the line.

The 29-year old has made quite a name for himself over the last 12 months. A handy all-rounder, Neesham has lately shown himself to be a reliable customer with both the bat and the ball. He boasts of a healthy strike rate in T20Is and has the ability to clear the fence with ease.

After going unsold in IPL 2019, the seam-bowling all-rounder would want to leave an impact in the upcoming edition. He might induce a bid from Sunrisers Hyderabad, with the franchise in need of an all-rounder who can produce cameos and offer four overs with the ball.

#1 Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell played for Delhi in IPL 2018

The No. 1 ranked T20I all-rounder in the world, Glenn Maxwell has often disappointed in the IPL. Known for his astonishing stroke-play and athleticism in the field, Maxwell has attracted big bucks in the previous editions of the IPL. However, in the past few seasons, the all-rounder has been out of favor due to his poor form even in the IPL.

In the last season, Maxwell pulled out of the auction in order to focus on his cricket with the national side. After a break of one year from the league, the 31-year-old will once again be in great demand as teams would consider his recent form in the T20Is against Sri Lanka.

Hyderabad might bid for the exuberant cricketer, who comes in with a great reputation. Maxwell can be a nearly perfect replacement for Shakib, since they both bring a similar skill-set to the table.