New Delhi, Dec 21 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has pointed out the challenges facing Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling lineup, emphasizing the absence of young bowlers, which could jeopardize the team's prospects in IPL 2026.

The Hyderabad franchise retained its core team, known for having one of the most formidable squads during IPL 2025, with key players like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Pat Cummins, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Heinrich Klaasen. They also added experienced players like Salil Arora, Jack Edwards, and Liam Livingstone for a hefty sum of ₹13 crore, alongside several promising talents acquired in the mini-auction leading up to IPL 2026.

Nonetheless, Uthappa expressed doubts regarding Livingstone’s inclusion in the playing eleven, as well as concerns about the team's lackluster bowling strength.

“Nothing has fundamentally changed. SRH has made it clear that they aim to clinch the championship primarily through their batting prowess. Reviewing this auction and their approach, they have remained consistent with that strategy. They did not pursue an Indian bowler who could complement Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, or Jaydev Unadkat. While Harshal is capable of taking wickets, he can also be quite expensive. The same can be said for Unadkat. Pat Cummins stands out as the only bowler who can reliably maintain control over his end. Nitish Reddy is still evolving as an all-rounder—how much responsibility can he bear? SRH seems to be batting as if they want to score 300 runs every match.

“But the real question is: where does Liam Livingstone fit into this lineup? You already have Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Eshan Malinga filling up the overseas slots. Are they planning to chase every match? Or do they acknowledge their bowling’s lack of depth, especially with some bowlers nearing the end of their careers? The youth component in the bowling department is noticeably absent at this moment,” Uthappa commented on JioStar.

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble also weighed in on Livingstone’s acquisition for ₹13 crore, raising questions about SRH's bowling choices alongside skipper Cummins.

“I believe Liam Livingstone is a valuable addition to any T20 squad, regardless of his previous season's performance with RCB. He possesses the ability to turn a game around within a few overs due to his batting style. Furthermore, he is highly adaptable—able to open, bat at No. 3, or contribute in the middle order. However, spending ₹13 crore raises eyebrows when there is already a bowling captain like Pat Cummins, who bats lower in the order, along with Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, filling three nearly fixed overseas slots.