Aiden Markram, the new captain of SRH, is in South Africa right now for two One-Day International matches against the Netherlands. He will not make an appearance in India until April 3.
In the absence of assigned captain Aiden Markram, experienced Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL debut.
In Ahmedabad on Friday, the defending champion Gujarat Titans take on the three-time champion Chennai Super Kings.
On Sunday, Sunrisers Hyderabad will play Rajasthan Royals in their first match.
Markram won’t arrive in India until April 3 because he is in South Africa for the two-match ODI series against the Netherlands. For South Africa to directly qualify for the ODI World Cup, which will be held in India later this year, the series is crucial.
South Africa will compete in two matches on April 2 and March 31.
Since they were founded in 2013, Bhuvneshwar, 33, has led the Sunrisers in six games in 2019 and once in 2022. Under his direction, SRH has lost five games and won two.
The SA player will return on April 7, when SRH plays Lucknow Super Monsters in its second match.