Having relished the role of mentor with Krishnamachari Srikkanth, VVS Laxman is set to start a new season with Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 7, who were a revelation in their debut season last year.
“It’s going to be an exciting season, the reason being that last year the players played with a lot of fighting spirit. They were in the last four and the top performers have been retained. The additions are talented and proven match winners. I’m sure the combination is good and the target will definitely be to win the tournament,” said Laxman.
The former batsman admitted all the franchises have done their homework and made good buys at the auctions. “There will be no firm favourites and the contest will be really good throughout the tournament.”
Laxman said they took different things into consideration before they went to the auctions. “One, the players who have got great skills in this format and second, players who come and straightway get into the environment which we created last year. We are pleased that we got that kind of players.”
This time, explosive batsmen like David Warner and Aaron Finch give the team firepower, according to Laxman. Limited-over specialist Finch is currently the top-ranked T20 player in ICC rankings and has been prolific in recent times, for Australia as well as in the Big Bash League.
“It’s great to have someone like Warner or Finch. We have got some new players and all of them take pride in their game, whether they are playing in the IPL or for their country. I’m sure it will be a great experience working with them. In T20, starts are very important as they give us the momentum. Having the likes of Shikhar (Dhawan), Warner and Finch should be exciting for our team. In bowling, we have got great bowlers who can give us starts. We are pleased to have the right kind of people to play different roles.”
Laxman felt West Indian Darren Sammy was the key element on and off the field. “Darren was very much instrumental in our success last year, not only by his performances on the field but his contribution off it was immense. He has been an exceptional team man. That is why we felt he was the ideal candidate to support Shikhar as vice-captain.”
The mentor pointed out it will take one good innings for Dhawan to get back into form. “Shikhar is a class player. There is no doubt that he will bounce back strongly. It will be a great opportunity for him to come back to form in the IPL. For someone like his class, it requires one good innings to come back into rhythm.”
On playing in the Middle East and then in India, Laxman said there won’t be not much of a difference because the pitches in the two places will be similar. “It won’t be too much of a challenge unlike playing in South Africa and then coming back to India. In that case, the conditions would have been different and it would have been difficult to adapt to Indian conditions immediately.”
Laxman stressed they wanted to get back the players who did well last season. “Karn Sharma was bought back because he bowled well last season. With the leg-spinners Amit Mishra and Karn bowling in tandem, it’s always very good for the team. They are different kind of bowlers but complement each other.”
Laxman said it’s difficult to predict a winner. “Whoever plays consistently and plays well on a particular day will win. One good performance by a bowler or batsman can change the scenario of the match.”
But he signed off confidently by saying that with players like Warner and Dale Steyn, Sunrisers could start as one of the favourites. “We are lucky to have explosive players like Warner and Steyn. They are world class players and can win matches on their own.”