Irfan Pathan picks SRH playing 12 after IPL 2026 auction; includes new ₹13 crore signing at No. 7

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Irfan Pathan has picked Liam Livingstone to play the finisher’s role for SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) after the IPL 2026 auction. The cricketer-turned-analyst pointed out that Livingstone's acquisition will allow swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klassen to play his natural game at No. 4.

The 41-year-old, however, pointed out the lack of stability in the middle order, urging Nitish Kumar Reddy to play the anchor’s role. Notably, the SunRisers purchased Livingstone for a whopping INR 13 crore at the auction.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the cricketer-turned-commentator said:

“There has definitely been an upgrade in one area. In the finisher’s role, they have brought in Liam Livingstone, replacing Kamindu Mendis, who played in this position last season. So now you have firepower. That means from the start through to number seven, you can go hard at the bowling. “But if you look at their playing XII, the top seven are all players who can just go out and hit. They have further strengthened their philosophy. This will remain their biggest strength.”

He continued:

“Now that Livingstone has come in, last season they used to push Heinrich Klaasen down the order. Now you can bat him at number four. That will give Klaasen plenty of opportunity to express himself and play big innings. If he bats at number four, he can even score a hundred. "Then, at number five, you have Nitish Kumar Reddy. Nitish Kumar Reddy is a batter in this team who, in my view, can act like glue. He can bat with control and take responsibility. In the top seven, you need at least one player who can provide stability if everything around is chaotic. Can Nitish Kumar Reddy play that role?” Pathan added.

Nitish Kumar Reddy has amassed 485 runs in 28 matches (22 innings) for SRH in the IPL. The 22-year-old has a strike rate of 132.87, hitting two half-centuries.

At No. 5, he has scored 65 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 125. The majority of his innings have come at No. 4, where he amassed 352 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 133.84, including two half-centuries.

“Bowling upgrade that was needed is not really visible” – Irfan Pathan questions SRH’s auction strategy at IPL 2026 auction

Irfan Pathan further pointed out that SRH’s gamble with youngsters will only be visible in IPL 2026, adding that the youngsters will be under pressure. Questioning their bowling unit, the former India cricketer said in the same video:

“Look at what Hyderabad have done. The bowling upgrade that was needed is not really visible. They have invested in young players, yes, but when young bowlers come onto a big league stage, pressure comes in, and that can cause some issues.” “The bowling still needed to be improved. Now the spotlight will be on the scouts and the work they have done. If these young players perform well, it will seem like the money was spent wisely. Going forward, you hope the young players deliver, but my focus will definitely remain on the bowling, especially since Mohammed Shami is gone. That makes Shivam Mavi’s role very important. They have brought in Shivam Mavi,” he added.

Irfan Pathan’s Playing XII for SRH: Travis Head, Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, NKR, Aniket Verma, Livingstone, Pat Cummins, Zeeshan Ansari, Krains Fuletra, Harshal Patel. Impact: Shivam Mavi/Jaydev Unadkat.

Click here to check out the SRH full squad for IPL 2026.

Edited by James Kuanal