Sunrisers Hyderabad camp was dealt with a massive blow when Board of Control for Cricket in India decided not to allow David Warner play for this season’s IPL. However, the paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar reckons the franchise will miss Warner this season both as the skipper and a batsman.
The swashbuckling opener Warner has been the most important player for the team ever since its inception in 2012.
The 31-year-old Warner is the most prolific foreign batsman in IPL history and statistics do not lie.
The aggressive left-handed batsman had been the Orange Cap holder in two of the past three seasons. On the only season that he could not win, Virat Kohli made a mind-boggling 973 runs.
Warner along with Shikhar Dhawan has been the major contributors to their batting. They went on to play a sensational role in helping them win 2016 IPL season.
“Of course, we will miss him (Warner),” Bhuvneshwar told Mail Today.
“A batsman like him can single-handedly win you matches. You always want someone like him and he was playing so well as a batsman and as a captain. His replacement (Alex Hales) is also good but it will not be easy to fill his shoes,” added the pacer.
Sunrisers Hyderabad management had already roped in English opener Alex Hales as a replacement for Warner. But Hales will have to play extraordinarily well to fill the void following the exit of Warner.
Kane Williamson made skipper –
The franchise had also decided to make Kane Williamson as their skipper for the upcoming season. Whereas, Bhuvneshwar will serve as his deputy in the side.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was full of praises for star batsman Williamson, who had earned applauds from across the cricketing community for the way he is leading New Zealand.
“He’s a superb captain. We know how good he has been for New Zealand in the past few years. He is a calm guy and knows what he is doing as a skipper. Last season, he helped Warner a lot. The management gave him the opportunity and everyone trusts him, so I am sure he’ll do a good job,” he said.
Williamson will also have a massive task on his hands to lead a talented SRH side. The franchise arguably still has a well-balanced side in the league, and anything less than a place in the playoffs could be considered a failed campaign in IPL 2018.
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