Bhuvneshwar Kumar: “A batsman like him can single-handedly win you matches”
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar has admitted that David Warner’s absence from this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) is a massive blow for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Warner was barred from taking part in the tournament and stepped down as the franchise’s captain due to his involvement in the ball tampering scandal during Australia’s recently concluded tour of South Africa.
It is understood that Warner played a leading role in the scandal, which occurred on the third day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, as he told fellow opening batsman Cameron Bancroft to alter the condition of the ball with sandpaper.
As a result, Warner and Steve Smith were banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months. Smith won’t be allowed to captain Australia for two years, while Warner won’t be considered for leadership roles in the future.
“Of course, we will miss him (Warner),” Bhuvneshwar told Mail Today as quoted by India 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.”
With Warner out of the IPL, Kane Williamson was named captain, while Kumar was appointed vice-captain.
“He’s a superb captain. We know how good he has been for New Zealand in the past few years,” Kumar said. “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.”
When asked about the Sunrisers’ squad and their chances of winning the IPL, Kumar said: “We have a good squad. Of course, everybody is talking about our pace attack. But we also have good spinners, Rashid, Shakib (Al Hasan), and we can’t forget about the all-rounders.
“I think it’s a balanced side. We can’t just go into every match thinking bowlers will do the job, we have good batsmen who can put runs on the board. The strategy will be decided this week and hopefully, we can work our way to the top.”