Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund, criticising SRH's strategy at IPL 2026 auction, asked, "Why did you not challenge even for someone like Akash Deep?" Highlighting powerplay bowling as SRH's biggest weakness, he added that SRH should've gone for Auqib Nabi. SRH's bowling lineup includes Pat Cummins, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga, Praful Hinge and Shivam Mavi among others.