Sunrisers have two Sri Lankan players in skipper Kumar Sangakkara and Tushar Periera. The on-going controversy over Lankan players not being allowed to play in Chennai may have put most of the franchises in a spot but not for coach Tom Moody at present.
The Australian coach was candid by saying it was not an issue now.
“If we had been playing the very first game at Chennai then I would have discussed about Sangakkara or Pereira but we are not playing in Chennai for few games. We will let the officials to do the delicate issues,’’ he said, adding, “both the players are coming and looking forward to the new season. They are obviously the key players for us. So, I’m sure the officials will sort out the issue in Chennai.”
Moody even didn’t want to look at the past as it is irrelevant now when asked about Deccan Chargers’ poor show last season, particularly at home. “It is a new team, new colours and new name (Sunrisers). We are going to turn it around and dominate,’’ asserted the 47-year-old Australian.
Sunrisers are the new franchise of Hyderabad, who replaced the bankrupt Deccan Chargers in IPL-6 season Moody says he is expecting the Hyderabad team to win against Pune Warriors in their first match on April 5 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
“We are expecting a very big crowd for the first match against Pune Warriors. The build-up for us has been very good and we are certainly looking forward with new franchise,’’ he added.
The coach, however, said it was unfortunate that dashing opener Shikhar Dhawan, who made 187 in his debut match against Australia in the Mohali Test, will not be available for the first game or even more. “We don’t know when Dhawan will be back and we are hoping a speedy recovery.’’