Cricket

“I was quite shocked” – Ravichandran Ashwin on Pat Cummins replacing Aiden Markram as SRH captain for IPL 2024

India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared his surprise on Pat Cummins taking the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s captaincy baton from Aiden Markram. The South African was backed as a leader for only one season.

Meanwhile, Aiden Markram led the sister franchise, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, to back-to-back titles in SA20 but has been sacked as a leader.

SRH decided to appoint Pat Cummins, who was bought for a whopping INR 20.50 crores in the IPL 2024 auction, as Orange Army’s captain for the forthcoming season, which surprised a lot of cricket pundits.

Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Sunrisers have hit two titles back to back at the SA20. They’ve done it with two extraordinary teams. I was quite shocked, actually. They have made Pat Cummins the captain. I was having a small hunch that they would go with Markram. Markram had an extraordinary season for his franchise in the SA20. The cross-pollination would have been amazing.”

While picking Hyderabad’s four overseas players, Ashwin feels the franchise have complicated their selection after appointing Cummins as captain.

“Pat Cummins is a no-brainer. But with Cummins as a captain, they will have a problem of plenty in the team with so many stars. Keeping Travis Head as backup, they would go for Markram, Pat Cummins, (Heinrich) Klaasen, and (Wanindu) Hasaranga. Because Hasaranga is a crucial facet for them. If they decide Hasaranga is not needed, in some venues they can play (Fazalhaq) Farooqi or Marco Jansen instead of him. This is what I thought because it makes sense.”

However, Ashwin feels Pat Cummins’ bowling will suit SRH in the upcoming season as the Australian can make great use of his slower balls.

“Pat Cummins’ cutters: I feel Pat Cummins’ bowling will suit SRH. Even last year, the spongy bounce was there. Slower cutters will come into play. Hasaranga, Washi, and Shahbaz Ahmed are also there; I thought they would have an easy task-setting combination.”

Ashwin reckons SRH could be a force to reckon with if the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, and Marco Jansen deliver consistent performances.

“If among Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, and Marco Jansen, even if two of them play a stable 300-400 run game, the team will easily go ahead. Klaasen has been playing brilliantly in T20 cricket, and Markram will off-spin an over. He is a good finisher with big power shots,” he remarked.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 23.

​​

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Pro Kabaddi League 2024: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Dabang Delhi K.C. – Match Preview

The inaugural champions Jaipur Pink Panthers will take the mat against Dabang Delhi K.C. in… Read More

November 21, 2024

Robert Lewandowski recalls playing under ‘difficult’ Pep Guardiola; explains how ex-Barcelona coach changed

Barcelona’s striker Robert Lewandowski recalled how Pep Guardiola was a difficult coach to play under… Read More

November 21, 2024

Ayush Chikkara aspires to be a ‘regular’ in Mumbai City FC’s team, says doesn’t want to take any external pressure

Mumbai City FC forward Ayush Chikkara wants to find a regular place in Petr Kratky’s… Read More

November 21, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz lauds Rafael Nadal’s legacy after retirement

World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz hailed Rafael Nadal’s legacy after the veteran Spaniard retired from the… Read More

November 21, 2024

Jamshedpur FC’s defender Ashutosh Mehta credits ‘100% professional’ Khalid Jamil for having a big impact in his life

Jamshedpur FC full-back Ashutosh Mehta has given credit to head coach Khalid Jamil for playing… Read More

November 21, 2024

Lakers star LeBron James says he’s taking a break from social media

Los Angeles Lakers’s superstar LeBron James has revealed he is taking a break from social… Read More

November 21, 2024