Sunrisers hope to soar high in IPL this season

Hyderabad: Describing Sunrisers Hyderabad as a balanced side, the team’s coach Tom Moody and mentor Kris Srikkanth exuded confidence on Friday of a successful campaign in the upcoming Indian Premier League, starting on April 16 in Abu Dhabi.
“Obviously, we had a good campaign last year, given that it was our first IPL as Sunrisers Hyderabad. This year we feel confident again. We feel we have got a very good balance in our side that allows us to adapt,” Moody told reporters here.
Sunrisers Hyderabad had reached the play-offs last year.
Srikkanth said the “core team” has been retained this year and that would ensure continuity.
“As far as we are concerned, I think the team is well-prepared. We have the core team with us.
“We have Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma is right here, Karn Sharma is here. He was a member of last year’s team. We have of course Amit Mishra, Darren Sammy and Dale Steyn. The most important thing is we were able to manage somehow to get almost the core team.
“Last year, we gelled well together and did well. I think that’s a very important aspect,” he said.
Noting that all the IPL teams comprise good and talented players, Srikkanth felt that the competition this year will be evenly poised.
“Every team has planned it very well. One good thing about this IPL is, it is going to be an evenly-balanced tournament. Last couple of years, there were sides, which are at least on paper rated very weak.
“This time, all the eight teams have got good players. It is going to be a good tournament. It is going to be very well fought tournament,” he said. (PTI)