Sunrisers Hyderabad are reportedly approaching Sri Lanka’s hard-hitting batsman Kusal Perera to replace David Warner.
Cricket Australia has banned Warner along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft in the aftermath of the ball tampering scandal. Warner will serve a 12-month ban. The BCCI also came down hard on Smith and Warner. The Indian board banned both the disgraced stars for the upcoming eleventh season of the IPL.
Smith was due to lead Rajasthan Royals while Warner was set to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad. But with both the players banned now, the franchises will have to seek a replacement at the earliest. And it seems, the Sunrisers are closing in on the replacement.
A Sri Lankan journalist revealed the news of Sunrisers approaching Perera. The journalist, Azzam Ameen, claimed that an approach was made for Perera, but a deal is yet to be finalized.
“IPL team SunRisers Hyderabad has approached Kusal Janith Perera as a possible replacement for Banned David Warner, deal yet to be finalised,” Azzam tweeted.
IPL team SunRisers Hyderabad has approached Kusal Janith Perera as a possible replacement for Banned David Warner, deal yet to be finalised
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) March 28, 2018
Perera was in fine form in the recently-concluded Nidahas Trophy. He finished the tri-series as the top run-scorer. The southpaw scored 204 runs at an average of 51 and a strike-rate of over 158.
Missing Warner will be a big blow for the Sunrisers. Warner has done a phenomenal job as skipper and batsman for the franchise. In 2016, he led the team to its maiden IPL title. Last year too, he took the team to the playoffs in addition to finishing the tournament as the highest run-scorer.
Meanwhile, Warner is paying a hefty price for his involvement in the ball tampering scandal. His sponsors LG has severed ties with him. Sportswear company Asics have also announced that it would end its association with Warner and Bancroft.
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