Renowned cricket commentator and expert analyst, Sunil Gavaskar, has confirmed that Sunrisers Hyderabad, the 2016 IPL champions, are set to appoint Australia’s Pat Cummins as their captain for the upcoming edition of IPL 2024. The tournament is expected to commence in March.
Sunil Gavaskar supported the idea of Pat Cummins leading Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2024. SRH splurged a significant sum of Rs 20.50 crore to acquire Cummins during the IPL 2024 mini-auction. They also added Travis Head to their squad for Rs. 6.80 crore, strengthening their lineup even further.
The Hyderabad-based franchise secured Pat Cummins for a staggering INR 20.50 Crores, making him the highest-paid player ever in IPL history. This landmark deal occurred just before Mitchell Starc joined the Kolkata Knight Riders with a 24.75 crore contract.
Sunil Gavaskar Backs Pat Cummins For Captain’s Role In IPL 2024
Apart from Cummins, Sunrisers Hyderabad also invested 6.80 crores to acquire Travis Head, the man of the match in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final. These two Australians, along with reigning World champions, form part of the SRH squad. Additionally, they signed Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga for 1.5 crores.
Gavaskar stressed Cummins’s leadership qualities, a factor he believes Sunrisers Hyderabad lacked in the previous IPL season. The former Indian captain highlighted questionable tactical decisions, particularly in the bowling department, that may have contributed to the team’s losses. Gavaskar expressed confidence that Cummins will take on the captaincy role, stating that his presence will enhance the team’s dynamics.
During a segment on Star Sports, Gavaskar lauded the decision as a “game-changer” for SRH, highlighting Cummins’ versatility and leadership as crucial factors for the team’s success. He said:
“I think Pat Cummins was a smart buy, maybe a little over-expensive. Smart buy because he will bring the leadership aspect to their team, which was lacking the last time around. Last time around, some of the bowling changes that we saw in crucial games were just head-scratching, and that cost them matches. So now with Pat Cummins coming in, I am pretty certain that he will be the captain of the team and that will make a huge difference,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
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