Head coach Tom Moody believes the Sunrisers team for IPL-7, which begins in Dubai on April 16, is stronger than last year’s. “We have to respect the competition because every side is difficult to beat. But we also have quite a few match-winners who can adapt to any playing conditions,” Moody said here on Friday. “We are lucky to have Shikhar Dhawan as captain and Darren Sammy as his deputy. Then there is Aaron Finch who is skipper of a Big Bash side.”
Well preparedTeam mentor K. Srikkanth said the team was well prepared. “The most important thing is that we managed to get almost the entire core team. That was very essential because last year, by god’s grace, we jelled together. I think that is going to be the key aspect in the IPL this time too.”
V.V.S. Laxman, also a mentor, is optimistic of a very good performance from Sunrisers. “The additions are amazingly skilful players. Among the overseas players Finch and Warner are two of the most destructive batsmen in the world. The addition of Irfan Pathan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has strengthened the bowling department,” he said.
“In T20 format, the batting top-order should be powerful to complement the bowling attack. We are very fortunate that we have a very balanced team.
“We have also picked good domestic players, particularly those who perform well in T20 and those in form this season. Like last year, we will continue to show the same attitude and fighting spirit,” Laxman said.
Referring to the presence of just two Hyderabad players in the Sunrisers squad (Ashish Reddy and Chama Milind), Laxman said it was due to a different auction pattern this time around.
