Published: Apr 24, 2013, 07:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 24, 2013, 07:58 PM (IST)
Shikhar Dhawan missed the initial matches due to an injury sustained during the Australia Test series © IANS
Chennai: Apr 24, 2013
Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor Kris Srikkanth said that explosive opener Shikhar Dhawan‘s presence in the playing XI will be huge boost for the batting line-up that has blown hot and cold during this season of IPL.
“The best news for us is that Shikhar Dhawan is back and will be playing his first IPL match this season. It will be a big boost to our batting strength and we are confident of even chasing totals in excess of 190,” Srikkanth announced about Dhawan’s comeback to competitive cricket after a knuckle fracture kept him out of action for more than a month.
Chennai Super Kings may have some top class finishers but the former India captain and chief national selector doesn’t want to draw any comparison between the two sides.
“We do not wish to be compared with other teams. All teams play to their strength. We are hopeful of getting in to the semi-finals. That’s our first target,” said Srikkanth.
The former opener also defended the team management’s decision to drop regular skipper Kumar Sangakkara in favour of Quinton de Kock.
“He (De Kock) is a swashbuckling batsman. He has played only a couple of games and you cannot judhe him on basis of that. He is just 20 years old and had had terrific T20 season in South Africa.”
Since both Sangakkara and Thisara Perera will be unavailable due to Tamil Nadu government’ diktat, there is a possibility that West Indies captain Darren Sammy might get his first T20 game.
