Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) quietly pulled off one of the smartest moves at the IPL auction by signing Salil Arora for ₹1.5 crore. Despite interest from Mumbai Indians, SRH managed to secure the explosive batter at what many experts believe is a bargain price. Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin even went on record to call the deal a steal.
Why Ashwin Rates Salil Arora Close to ₹14.2 Crore
Ashwin’s strong endorsement raised eyebrows across the cricketing community. According to him, Salil Arora’s value was not far off Kartik Sharma’s ₹14.2 crore price tag. The comparison wasn’t about hype, but about skill set, impact potential, and role clarity in the modern T20 game. Ashwin highlighted Salil’s fearless strokeplay, six-hitting ability, and versatility as key reasons behind his assessment.
How IPL Scouts First Spotted Salil Arora
Salil Arora first came onto the IPL radar during last year’s Sher-e-Punjab T20 Trophy. While his numbers were not eye-popping, they were strong enough to draw attention—342 runs from 12 innings, averaging 49 at a strike rate of 147. More importantly, scouts noticed his clean ball-striking, bat speed, and composure under pressure. That performance opened the door to state selection.
SMAT 2024: Salil Arora’s Breakout Tournament
The real breakthrough came in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where Salil was simply unstoppable. Playing for Punjab, he finished as the team’s highest run-scorer, amassing 358 runs in eight innings at an average of 71+ and a strike rate close to 200. His standout knock came against Jharkhand, where he smashed 125 off just 45 balls, including 11 sixes. He also ended the tournament with 28 maximums.
Where Salil Arora Fits in SRH’s Batting Line-Up
SRH already boast a formidable batting core featuring Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, Liam Livingstone, and Ishan Kishan, with Nitish Reddy and Aniket Verma adding further depth. In that context, Salil Arora is unlikely to start immediately. However, his explosive bat speed, six-hitting prowess, and wicket-keeping ability make him a valuable backup option.
If given an opportunity, Salil Arora has the tools to make an instant impact, and SRH’s ₹1.5 crore “steal” could soon become one of the season’s biggest talking points.
Also Watch: IPL Auction: Why KKR shelled out ₹3 Crore for Delhi's Tejasvi Dahiya
