"They won't be able to get him" - Aakash Chopra on SunRisers Hyderabad's requirements in IPL 2026 auction

Former India player Aakash Chopra has opined that the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) need to bolster their bowling department at the IPL 2026 auction. While observing that the Hyderabad-based franchise might be interested in acquiring Cameron Green, he reckoned they would not be able to do so.

SRH traded Mohammad Shami to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. They also released seven other players and have an available purse of ₹25.50 crore to buy at most 10 players, including two overseas, at the auction.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener noted that the SunRisers Hyderabad need to upgrade their bowling, but virtually ruled out their chances of acquiring Green as a seam-bowling all-rounder.

"You start asking this question - what do you want to do with the bowling? They will have to upgrade their bowling a little because there is no problem in batting. They have got options in batting, which they always had. The team doesn't become bad if the form was bad for one year," Chopra said. (1:35)

"Bowlers win you matches on pitches where you get hit a lot. Whom will they go towards? I have got no idea. It seemed earlier that they would wish to acquire Cameron Green. They might go after him for some time, but they won't be able to get him," he added.

Aakash Chopra reckoned the SunRisers Hyderabad might run after Cooper Connolly at the IPL 2026 auction. He reasoned that the Australian spin-bowling all-rounder would be an upgrade on Kamindu Mendis, whom they have retained.

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"What will Zeeshan do alone?" - Aakash Chopra on SunRisers Hyderabad needing to acquire wicket-taking spinners at the IPL 2026 auction

Zeeshan Ansari picked up six wickets at an economy rate of 9.84 in 10 innings in IPL 2025. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that the SunRisers Hyderabad need to onboard specialist spinners, highlighting that Zeeshan Ansari alone won't suffice.

"First and foremost, and very, very important, get spinners. You don't have spinners. Zeeshan did a good job, but what will Zeeshan do alone? When you have let everyone go, you would have thought about some spinner. Are you bringing in Adil Rashid?" he said. (4:20)

While observing that SRH don't need top-order batters, the cricketer-turned-commentator added that they might be interested in acquiring a seamer like Anrich Nortje.

"You need a spinner who is a wicket-taker, who takes three wickets even if he concedes 40 runs in three overs. They don't need a top-order batter. They have no interest in Jonny Bairstow, Tim Seifert and Jamie Smith. They might be interested in Anrich Nortje and the other fast bowlers," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra named Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis as two other seamers the SunRisers Hyderabad might show interest in. Nortje and Johnson were both released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.