Daniel Vettori

IPL 2026: Strongest Playing XI of Sunrisers Hyderabad – Full Squad Breakdown

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:04:10 GMT

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will enter the IPL 2026season to regain their former glory after an inconsistent 2025 IPL season. The 2016 IPL champions finished in sixth position last season with six wins and seven losses. The team had not been able to secure a playoff berth. However, the team has continued to back its aggressive style of play, retaining the same players who helped the team remain competitive last season.

The team will once again be led by Australian skipper Pat Cummins, while former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori will continue to be the team’s head coach. The team management has focused on maintaining stability at the team level in the IPL 2026 mini-auction that took place in Abu Dhabi. They retained most of their players but added a few new players to the team to strengthen its position.

One of the biggest signings for the team was England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who was picked up for 13 crore. The team also traded experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami to the Lucknow Super Giants. The 25-member team looks to be well balanced with powerful hitters, quality all-rounders, and experienced bowlers.

Predicted opening pair for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Indian Premier League 2026

Travis Head will play as the opening batsman for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Australian left-hander was among the most devastating batsmen in IPL 2024, smashing 567 runs in 15 innings at an unbelievable strike rate of 191.55. His aggressive batting in the powerplay helped Sunrisers Hyderabad win many matches in IPL 2024. SRH retained him for ₹14 crore, and his ability to attack bowlers from the first ball makes him one of the most dangerous openers in the tournament.

Abhishek Sharma will play alongside Travis Head in the opening slot. The Indian all-rounder has become one of the most promising young players in T20 cricket. In IPL 2024, he scored 484 runs at a strike rate of 204.22 and hit 42 sixes, the highest number of sixes scored by an Indian in IPL 2024. In addition to that, he also provides SRH with an attacking bowling option in left-arm spin. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma make for one of the most destructive opening pairs in the competition.

SRH’s middle-order strength and all-round options for IPL 2026

Ishan Kishan will bat at number three and also keep wickets. The left-handed batsman had a great run in IPL 2025, scoring 354 runs in 13 innings, including a ton on debut for SRH against Rajasthan Royals. His aggressive game style is exactly what SRH need. Ishan Kishan recently scored a T20I hundred for India against New Zealand, which speaks volumes about his current form.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is likely to bat at number four and add balance to the side as a batting all-rounder. He had a fantastic season in the IPL 2024, contributing 303 runs and being awarded the Emerging Player of the Year award. The youngster will also provide bowling options to the captain as a medium-pace bowler.

Heinrich Klaasen is one of the most valuable players in the SRH squad. The South African power hitter usually bats at number five and plays the role of a finisher in the middle overs. Klaasen scored 479 runs at a strike rate of over 170 in the IPL 2024. SRH retained him for ₹23 crore, making him the highest-paid player in the squad. With Klaasen focusing only on franchise cricket after retiring from international matches, SRH will expect big performances from him.

Furthermore, Liam Livingstone, SRH's most expensive buy in the mini-auction for the IPL 2026, will provide strength to the team in the middle order at number six. Liam is known for his strong hitting and his ability to provide variety with his off-spin and leg-spin skills. However, in case Liam is not able to perform throughout the season, Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis will come in handy for SRH as a like-for-like replacement for Liam Livingstone.

Aniket Verma will most probably play as a lower-order power hitter for SRH at number seven. The young batter impressed in his debut IPL season by hitting 20 sixes in just 12 innings. SRH brought him for only ₹30 lakh, making him one of the most exciting among the young talent in the squad.

SRH’s bowling attack that could dominate in IPL 2026

Pat Cummins, the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad. He leads the fast bowling department. Cummins is known for his ability to bowl in all conditions and has the potential to lead the team with calmness. He has taken 79 wickets in the IPL. He also has the potential to contribute to the batting department with powerful hitting. In case Cummins needs workload management or is unavailable for any match, Brydon Carse can be brought in as a replacement for the fast bowling department.

Harsh Dubey will lead the spin department. The left-arm spinner had an impressive Ranji Trophy campaign, where he picked 69 wickets for Vidarbha. His ability to control the middle overs is expected to be very handy for SRH, especially when the wickets are slow.

Harshal Patel will be responsible for the death overs. The experienced fast bowler is known for his clever variations and slower balls. The two-time Purple Cap winner has many times proven his capability to handle pressure situations in the final overs of an inning.

Jaydev Unadkat will complete the pace attack with his left-arm swing bowling. The experienced pacer has 110 wickets to his name in his IPL career. His ability to bowl with the new ball as well as in the final overs makes him a very handy asset for his team.

Impact Players: Shivam Mavi is likely to be the first-choice substitute when SRH need an extra pacer. The right-arm fast bowler has taken 30 wickets in 32 IPL matches and can strengthen the pace attack on seamer-friendly pitches. Zeeshan Ansari is another useful option as a leg-spinner and could be brought in on slow surfaces to support Harsh Dubey in the spin department. Salil Arora offers a batting-heavy option for SRH as an Impact Player. The young wicket-keeper batter has already made an impact in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 358 runs with a strike rate of almost 200. In high-scoring games, he can be used as an impact player to enhance the batting line-up of the side.

Strongest Playing XI for SRH in IPL 2026

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Liam Livingstone, Aniket Verma, Pat Cummins (C), Harsh Dubey, Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat.

Sunrisers Leeds' X account suspended after signing star Pakistani spinner in The Hundred auction

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:44:54 GMT

Sunrisers Leeds’ X (formerly Twitter) account was suspended on Thursday, just hours after the team bought Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred auction. Abrar became the first Pakistani cricketer to join an Indian-owned franchise in the tournament. He was bought for £190,000 (about Rs 2.34 crore).

Kavya Maran, along with head coach Daniel Vettori, attended the auction at Piccadilly Lights in London on Thursday. Sunrisers Leeds outbid Trent Rockets to sign Abrar Ahmed. England’s T20I skipper Harry Brook will captain the team.

The move upset many Indian fans, who shared their anger on social media. They were unhappy that an Indian-owned team bought a Pakistani player amid political tensions between the two countries. Both the franchise and co-owner Kavya Maran received heavy criticism, with “Boycott Sunrisers Hyderabad” trending online.

Anyone trying to visit the account now sees this message: "Account suspended. X suspends accounts that violate X rules." So far, X has not explained why it suspended the Sunrisers Leeds account.

🚨 SUNRISERS LEEDS FRANCHISE OFFICIAL ACCOUNT SUSPENDED 🚨

- Last night at 8:30 PM, Sunrisers picked Abrar Ahmed in their team, and by 2:00 AM their Twitter account was suspended 😭😭.

- This shows the power of Indian people. Now Kavya Maran will understand what people’s… pic.twitter.com/sSPN475K6E
— Bemba Tavuma 🐐 (@gaandfaadtits) March 13, 2026

Also read -Fans slam Kavya Maran after Sunrisers Leeds signs PAK spinner Abrar Ahmed

Why Sunrisers Got Backlash for Signing Abrar Ahmed

The backlash against Sunrisers Leeds started because of some controversial social media posts Abrar Ahmed shared in mid-2025. These posts appeared during a time of high tension between India and Pakistan. Some Indian fans said the posts mocked the Indian Armed Forces.

When news of his signing came out, hashtags like #ShameOnSRH and #BoycottSunrisers started trending on X. Many critics said that by giving a high-value contract to Abrar, the team ignored public feelings and only focused on making their squad stronger.

Abrar Ahmed was the second Pakistani player sold during The Hundred 2026 auction. Another spinner, Usman Tariq, was bought by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (about Rs 1.72 crore). Phoenix does not have any IPL connection.

Earlier, Pakistani players Harris Rauf, off-spin all-rounder Saim Ayub, and spinner Shadab Khan went unsold. Experienced left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi had withdrawn from the auction.

In Wednesday’s women’s Hundred auction, the only two Pakistani players, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, also went unsold. Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was sold to Phoenix for £100,000 (about Rs 1.23 crore). Rahman had been released by IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, which led to Bangladesh being removed from the recent T20 World Cup.

Sussex all-rounder James Coles got the highest bid of the day from London Spirit — £390,000 (about Rs 4.8 crore).

Full squad of Sunrisers Leeds for The Hundred Men's 2026

Ryan Rickelton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Nathan Ellis, Tom Alsop, Mitchell Marsh, Dan Lawrence, Matthew Potts, Zak Crawley, Benjamin Howell, Abrar Ahmed, Tom Lawes, Reece Topley, Liam Patterson-White, Edward Barnard

‘Marte hue out hona chahiye, darte hue nahi!’- Abhishek Sharma shares Pat Cummins’ advice for SRH batters

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 21:22:24 GMT

In recent years, Abhishek Sharma has made a remarkable impact in T20 cricket with his aggressive and fearless batting approach. Representing both Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Indian team, he has consistently demonstrated a take-charge style that keeps opponents on the back foot.

His stellar performance in the Asia Cup further highlighted his dominance, as he emerged as India’s top scorer with 314 runs in seven innings, earning the Player of the Tournament award. Abhishek’s ability to consistently deliver under pressure has become a hallmark of his game.

Reflecting on his success, Abhishek credited part of his attacking mindset to the trust and freedom granted by the SRH leadership, including captain Pat Cummins and coach Daniel Vettori. Their encouragement allowed him to play without hesitation and unleash his full potential with the bat.

Abhishek Sharma Talks About his Attacking Mindset:

On the ‘Breakfast with Champions’ YouTube show, when asked about the impact of Pat Cummins and Daniel Vettori, as well as his opening partnership with Australia’s Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma shared his insights, highlighting how their guidance and collaboration shaped his aggressive yet composed approach at the crease.

He said, “ Travis Head, Pat Cummins and Daniel Vettori… I will tell you one thing about all of them. I could not have gotten a better environment (in an IPL team). Just imagine, we were once having our batting meeting, all batters were standing. Vettori asked us if we want to discuss any specific bowlers.”

He further said, “ We maybe spoke about one or two bowlers. Dan (Vettori) asked Pat if he wanted to say something. Pat got up and faced the five or six batters who were sitting together, ‘Who do you wanna hit? Let’s mark your bowlers. Hit, Hit, Hit’ he said pointing at us. That’s it, meeting over.”

"HIT, HIT,HIT"

Abhishek Sharma Reveals SRH & Pat Cummins Mindset While Batting 🔥🏏 pic.twitter.com/c1xdXFP1we
— Haydos🛡️ (@diablo_kells) October 2, 2025

He added, “ Cummins told us, ‘In this team, even if we are 50 for the loss of six wickets, the 7th batter should not feel the pressure. Marte hue out hona chahiye, darte hue nahi! (Get out while hitting a big shot, not while protecting your wicket).”

He continued, “ I am fine with the team being 100 all out, but I don’t want safe scores of 160 or 170.’ He wanted us to back each other and take all bowlers head-on. Cummins would also say: ‘Hit all six balls if you want, me and Dan are with you. But this is the brand of cricket I want. The teams should fear us.”

He concluded, “ And he only says one thing to the bowlers: ‘Batters are doing their job. If they score 250, our job is to just concede 249… We just need to win, even if it’s by one run… If we score 280 runs, you can concede 279, I don’t have a problem. In the end we should win, that’s all.”

Abhishek Sharma on his Connection with Travis Head:

Abhishek Sharma reflected on his connection with SRH opening partner Travis Head, revealing that during his Punjab cricket days, he encouraged teammates to mimic Head’s aggressive batting, often leading to their dismissals. Fate then brought Head to the Hyderabad franchise, where the two finally teamed up, forming a dynamic and impactful opening partnership.

He said, “ Whenever I would ask Travis for a plan in the middle, he would just say one thing, ‘Just spot the fielders and try to hit above them or in spaces where there is no one.’ He would say, ‘If you are not able to middle it, then give me the strike.’ I would think, ‘Why should I give you the strike, I’ll also hit.’”

He added, “ That’s why we have such good bonding, because his mindset is also the same. I used to enjoy watching Travis bat so much, because if you see, he dominates in all three formats. Bowlers would be scared of him.”

He further said, “ When Head got picked by SRH before the 2024-2025 IPL season, I was so happy to see that. Then Dan messaged me, ‘Do you want to open the innings or bat one down?’ I was like, ‘How can I not take the opportunity of opening with Travis Head.’ I said, ‘I will open, please!”

AB de Villiers includes two former RCB captains in his all-time IPL XI during WCL 2025

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 14:15:34 GMT

Legendary South African batter AB de Villiers named his all-time IPL XI during a recent podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, where he included two Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captains—Virat Kohli and Daniel Vettori—alongside himself in the lineup. The revelation came amid the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, where De Villiers played a starring role for the title-winning South Africa Champions.

De Villiers picked an XI stacked with IPL greats across eras. He said: "Rohit Sharma, Matthew Hayden, Virat Kohli at three, Suryakumar Yadav, myself at five, at six let's go Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni seven, Bumrah at eight, Yuzi Chahal nine, Lasith Malinga ten, I'll just throw a little spin in the works, Daniel Vettori at eleven."
With Kohli batting at No. 3 and Vettori listed as the second spinner, the XI reflected both De Villiers' deep IPL experience and his respect for former RCB teammates and rivals.

Daniel Vettori was the skipper of RCB from 2011 to 2012. He won 15 out of 28 games and took the franchise to the 2011 IPL final. Virat Kohli took over as captain from 2013 to 2023 and also piloted the team in the 2016 final. De Villiers, who started with RCB in 2011, was the main man in the team’s batting line-up till 2021, scoring 4522 runs in 157 matches at an average of 41.10, including two hundreds and 37 fifties.

De Villiers ignites WCL 2025 with game-changing ton

On top of being an all-time XI pick, De Villiers made headlines with his very good performance in the WCL 2025. The last match against the Pakistan Champions, he hit 120 unbeaten off only 60 balls while chasing 195. The innings of his, being 12 fours and 7 sixes, gave South Africa Champions the win in only 16.5 overs with nine wickets in hand.

De Villiers finished the competition as the top run-getter, scoring 429 runs in six games at an astonishing average of 143. His WCL stint saw him scoring three centuries and one half-century, confirming that the ex-IPL star has the fire that made him the most feared batsman in world cricket.

List of seven new cricketers inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:56:58 GMT

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the newest members of the Hall of Fame, announcing seven legendary cricketers from past and current generations and formats. ICC Chair Jay Shah welcomed the new members to the Hall of Fame at a special ceremony in London, which was held at the iconic Abbey Road Studios.

ICC Chair Jay Shah welcomed the new inductees, saying, "Through the ICC Hall of Fame, we pay tribute to the finest players the game has seen, individuals whose remarkable careers have shaped cricket's legacy and inspired generations," Shah said.

“This year, we are privileged to induct seven truly outstanding individuals into this prestigious group. On behalf of the ICC, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them and hope they cherish this well-deserved recognition as a defining moment in their cricketing journey.”

The seven inductees are:

Matthew Hayden

A dominant figure in world cricket, Hayden played 103 Tests and scored 8,625 runs at an average of 50.73. He also featured in 161 ODIs, amassing 6,133 runs at an average of 43.80, and added 308 runs from nine T20Is.

Matthew Hayden was a dominant opening batsman who consistently beat the world's best bowlers. With 30 Test centuries and a greater than 50 average, his supremacy in red-ball cricket was evident. Just as devastating in ODIs, Hayden topped the run charts in the 2007 ICC World Cup with three hundreds. His contributions saw Australia win two World Cups in a golden period. After retirement, he became widely respected as a cricket commentator. His ICC Hall of Fame induction is a testament to his monumental contribution to the game.

"The ICC Hall of Fame includes many of my heroes of yesteryear as well as contemporaries whom I admired and enjoyed competing against," he said.

"Each of these players gave something to the game in their own way. It is incredible to be recognized along with them."

Hashim Amla

One of South Africa's most elegant and consistent batters, Amla accumulated 9,282 runs in 124 Tests and 8,113 in 181 ODIs, while maintaining an impressive 49.46 average in ODIs.

Hashim Amla exemplified elegance and reliability at the crease for South Africa. His beautiful cover drives and wristy flicks off the leg side were hallmarks of a productive career. He became the first South African to achieve a triple hundred in Tests and concluded with 55 overseas tons. Amla's consistency assisted South Africa in reaching the No. 1 Test ranking while he was on the side. He was just as impressive in ODIs, scoring freely in all conditions. His induction recognizes a player who added class and composure to all forms.

"It is an honor to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, especially alongside Graeme," Amla said.

"The Hall of Fame includes some of the most celebrated players in the history of cricket, all of whom have big achievements. Such recognition feels surreal, and I am really thankful."

MS Dhoni

India’s most successful white-ball captain, Dhoni played 90 Tests, 350 ODIs, and 98 T20Is, scoring over 17,000 international runs and effecting over 800 dismissals.

MS Dhoni’s cricket journey is defined by iconic finishes, tactical brilliance, and historic triumphs. He led India to three ICC titles: the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy. Known for his finishing abilities and calm demeanor, Dhoni mastered white-ball cricket with unmatched precision. His innovation behind the stumps set a new benchmark for wicketkeeping. From humble small-town roots to international fame, his legacy endures through generations. The ICC Hall of Fame now honors one of India's all-time great cricketers.

"It is an honor to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognizes the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world," he said.

"To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever."

Also Read: 'You've lost all respect' - Former cricketer slams move to rename Pataudi Trophy as Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Tests

Graeme Smith

Smith led South Africa with grit, scoring 9,265 runs in 117 Tests and nearly 7,000 in ODIs. He is remembered as a strong captain and a dependable top-order batter.

Graeme Smith was a dashing and forceful opening batsman who accepted leadership at the age of 22. He led South Africa in a golden period, with authority as well as sustained batting performances. Smith played key roles in big wins and series victories across the world. His resilient frame of mind and capacity for motivating teammates ensured him a position as one of the best leaders in the contemporary game. He struck well in excess of a hundred despite captaincy pressures, creating a lasting legacy. The Hall of Fame acknowledges his twin excellence as player and captain.

"It feels amazing to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame alongside some legendary cricketers, all of whom have made significant contributions to the game in their own way," he said.

"This is also a proud moment for South Africa, as two of us have gotten recognition this year."

Daniel Vettori

The former New Zealand captain played 113 Tests and picked up 362 wickets while scoring 4,531 runs. He also claimed 305 wickets in ODIs and 38 in T20Is.

Daniel Vettori added astute left-arm spin to composed captaincy and solid lower-order batting. He is still one of only a handful to reach the double of 4,000 runs and 300 Test wickets. As captain, he led New Zealand to famous landmarks such as a Champions Trophy final appearance. Vettori was a thinking cricketer at all times, beating batters with flight and variation. He still remains involved in the game even after retirement as a coach. His ICC Hall of Fame induction recognizes both his ability and cricketing awareness.

"Looking at the past inductees of the ICC Hall of Fame, one can see the outstanding talent and contribution they made to the growth and popularity of the game," Vettori said.

"To gain recognition alongside them is simply overwhelming, and I can’t find words to describe the feeling."

Sana Mir

Pakistan's pioneer in women’s cricket, Sana took 151 wickets in 120 ODIs and 89 in 106 T20Is, becoming the first Pakistani woman in the Hall of Fame.

Sana Mir pioneered and transformed women's cricket in Pakistan by skill and leadership. A true match-winner, she compiled more than 200 international wickets and was instrumental in winning numerous games. Away from the game, she advocated for issues such as mental well-being and body image and became an inspiration to many. Her impact went beyond statistics, with the contribution to increasing the profile of women's cricket in her homeland. She demonstrated resilience in establishing a path for future generations. Her Hall of Fame induction is a moment of pride and history for Pakistan.

"From dreaming as a little girl that one day there would even be a women’s team in our country to now standing here, inducted among the very legends I idolized long before I ever held a bat or a ball—this is a moment I couldn’t have dared to imagine," she said.

"I am incredibly grateful for this honor and hope to give back to the sport in any way I can. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teammates, coaches, and family for all their support over the years."

Also Read: 'We planned everything..'.'—Heinrich Klaasen reveals reason behind his international retirement

Sarah Taylor

England’s star wicketkeeper-batter scored over 6,000 international runs and was involved in more than 230 dismissals across formats. Her contributions in major tournaments are widely celebrated.

Sarah Taylor was one of England's best wicketkeepers and top-order batters with style. Her rapid glovework, particularly stumpings down the leg side, raised the bar for women's cricket. Taylor was central to England's World Cup victories in 2009 and 2017, producing vital displays in the knockout stages. She struck a balance between flair and calm, leading the next generation of cricketers with courage. Her career also served to destigmatize mental ill health in sport. The Hall of Fame rightly recognizes her enduring legacy on and off the pitch.

"Being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame is one of the best moments of my life and truly feels like a dream come true," Taylor said.

"Women's cricket has been thriving in recent years, and receiving this award during such a significant time makes it even more special. I am grateful to the members of the ICC Hall of Fame selection panel for this recognition."

Five most handsome cricketers

Sat, 31 May 2025 15:28:48 GMT

Cricket is undoubtedly the most followed sport worldwide, including India. Whenever a cricketing event takes place between major teams, including an ICC event, viewership breaks all sorts of records, while stadiums are packed with fans who are eager to see their favourite players perform.

Apart from their cricketing skills, cricketers are the centre of attraction for their good looks. In this piece, we discuss five cricketers who have attracted fans with their charming looks. The players mentioned in the list have millions of followers on social media due to their good looks, apart from their playing style. Their looks make them a famous public personality. We discuss these cricketers in detail:

1.Virat Kohli (India)

The modern-day great broke everyone's hearts after announcing retirement from test cricket, but the 36-year-old remains at the top regarding his looks, like his batting. His charisma makes him a fan favourite, while his charming appearance makes his fans go crazy. The youth has emulated Kohli's stylish hairstyles. Virat Kohli's dressing sense has always made him look unique. When it comes to his followers on Instagram, he is the most followed personality.

2.Yuvraj Singh (India)

Yuvraj Singh's dashing looks combined with his charismatic playing style and appearance, made him an altogether different personality in the sporting circles. The former India batter and two-time World Cup winner's stylish appearance made him the most popular figure. His stylish dressing attracted big advertising brands to sign deals with him.

3.Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)

The former bespectacled New Zealand cricketer's looks made him look more like an actor rather than a sportsman. Vettori's smile and his elegant features were unmatchable, combined with his smart walking style, made him a favourite not only amongst the female fans but also the male fans. His sparkling eyes made his charming presence even more elegant.

4.Brett Lee (Australia)

The former Australian pacer's graceful and elegant walk made him the most lovable sporting personalities, combined with his dimpled smile that was adored by female fans. His smile reflected his persona, while his smart personality and flamboyance attracted even those who didn't follow cricket. His looks and stylish hairstyle helped him get offers to act in movies.

5. Alistair Cook (England)

Undoubtedly amongst the most stylish and handsome English cricketers of all time, Alistair Cook is considered amongst the most stylish personalities in England. Cook is the highest run scorer for England in test cricket. The former England skipper's personality is the topic of discussion even outside the sporting circuit due to his elegant and smart looks.

Daniel Vettori to attend IPL Auction amid First BGT Test

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:48:45 GMT

Australia's bowling coach Daniel Vettori will leave the team during the First Test against India in Perth to attend the IPL Auction in Saudi Arabia as Sunrisers Hyderabad Coach.

The Test will start on 22 November at Optus Stadium in Perth meanwhile, IPL Auction is scheduled on November 24-25 in Jeddah which has caused conflict for the three IPL coaches - Vettori, Ricky Ponting, and Justin Langer, who are in Perth for coaching or commentary roles.

Daniel Vettori is one of the few cricket coaches who holds multiple key roles simultaneously. He holds a permanent assistant role with the International team. He is also the full-time head coach of the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad and the head coach of the Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.

Vettori has been working as Australia's bowling coach for all three formats since 2022 working under Head Coach Andrew McDonald. Cricket Australia values Daniel Vettori highly and allows him to take on franchise coaching roles alongside his commitments with the men's national team.

Cricket Australia supports Daniel Vettori holding multiple coaching roles at a time

Australia team spokesperson said, "We are very supportive of Dan's role as Head Coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Dan will complete the final preparation for the first Test before attending the IPL auction. He will then be with the team for the remainder of the Border Gavaskar Trophy."

Prioritizing the IPL auction over a Test match, along with scheduling it in Saudi Arabia during an Australia-India Test, reflects the changing priorities in modern cricket. Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer who work as commentators for Channel Seven, will also miss the First Test match to attend the IPL auction as head coaches of Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively.

Vettori has missed certain series in recent years due to his franchise commitments with temporary coaches brought in to assist the team. This will be the first time Vettori leaves midway through a Test to attend the IPL auction. Last year, he managed to fulfill his duties with Australia against Pakistan before flying to India for the auction between matches.

CA is also looking to hire a full-time national pace bowling coach who will be able to handle the team when Vettori misses some tours.

Daniel Vettori performed his coaching duties before heading to the IPL Auction

Vettori was on deck with Australia's squad on their first day of training at the WACA ground on Monday. He worked with the bowling unit and then bowled left-arm orthodox deliveries to the batters to make them prepare to face Ravindra Jadeja in the Perth Test.

On Monday, Australia had two consultants working with their main coaching team: former Australia batter Michael Hussey and former allrounder Jim Allenby, who has ties with Glamorgan, Leicestershire, and Somerset and is based in Perth. Both worked with the team ahead of last summer's first Test against Pakistan and will stay with the squad throughout the week leading up to the upcoming Test match.

Australia's fielding coach Andre Borovec is currently in charge of the T20I side that is playing the three-match series against Pakistan which will conclude on Monday night. Both he and Josh Inglis, the stand-in T20 captain, will fly from Hobart to Perth tomorrow to join the Test squad.

When Vettori leaves, Cricket Australia's national development coach, Lachlan Stevens, who previously coached Australia A against India A and works with the Under-19 team, will fly into Perth to provide additional support for the squad.

Captains who stepped down in middle of an IPL season

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:40:17 GMT

In a surprising turn of events in IPL 2024, there has been a change in captaincy mid-season. Such changes are not uncommon in the IPL, highlighting how crucial leadership is in the intense atmosphere of the tournament. These things have already happened in history.

Here are the name captains who stepped down in the middle of an IPL season;

2021: David Warner – Kane Williamson

David Warner was a standout performer during his time with the Hyderabad-based franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). As the captain, he clinched three orange caps and led SRH to victory in the IPL 2016, scoring a remarkable 848 runs. Warner’s dedication earned him the title of a true servant of the Orange Army.

However, in IPL 2021, SRH’s performance fell below expectations, with only one win in their first seven matches. This led to tensions between Warner and the SRH management, resulting in Kane Williamson being appointed as the new captain.

Despite the change in leadership, SRH’s fortunes didn’t improve, and they finished at the bottom of the table by the end of the season. Despite not being retained by SRH for the 2022 IPL season, Warner continued to show his support for the franchise from the stands, demonstrating his deep affection for the team. He was subsequently bought by Delhi Capitals for the 2022 IPL season.

2020: Dinesh Karthik – Eoin Morgan

Dinesh Karthik, known as one of the most successful wicketkeeper-batters in IPL history, joined Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2018 mega auction. With KKR in need of a captain, they turned to Karthik’s experience and leadership. He led the team from 2018 to 2020.

In the middle of IPL 2020, although KKR had won four of their first seven games, Karthik’s performance with the bat was lacking. Consequently, he chose to step down as captain. With Eoin Morgan, a World Cup-winning captain, in their squad, KKR appointed him as the new captain.

During IPL 2020, KKR’s performance was neither exceptional nor poor, finishing in fifth place with seven wins in 14 league matches. However, Morgan’s captaincy made a significant impact in the following season. Despite a slow start, KKR reached the finals, ultimately losing to Chennai Super Kings.

2018: Gautam Gambhir – Shreyas Iyer

Gautam Gambhir, KKR’s most successful captain with two trophies, decided to end his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils ( then Delhi Capitals) before the 2018 IPL mega auction. As soon as he rejoined Delhi, he was appointed captain, which was a big boost for the team. However, despite Gambhir’s experience, Delhi struggled at the start, winning only one game out of their first six.

Consequently, Gambhir stepped down as captain. Shreyas Iyer, a young Indian batsman, took over the reins mid-season and led the team decently. Under Iyer’s captaincy, Delhi won four out of their next eight games, but couldn’t make it to the playoffs. Iyer continued as captain for two more seasons until he got injured before IPL 2021, leading to Rishabh Pant being named the new captain. In IPL 2022, Iyer was bought by KKR in the mega auction and appointed as their new skipper.

2013: Ricky Ponting – Rohit Sharma

In the 2013 IPL season, Ricky Ponting began as the captain of Mumbai Indians (MI). However, the team faced difficulties, losing four of their first five games. Seeing the struggle, Ponting chose to step down as captain, and MI appointed Rohit Sharma as the new skipper.

Rohit’s leadership brought a significant change to the team’s performance, ultimately leading them to clinch the trophy. This season also marked the last IPL for Sachin Tendulkar, and MI dedicated their win to the cricket legend. Rohit’s captaincy marked the start of a remarkable journey for MI. Under his leadership, they went on to win four more IPL titles, making Rohit the most successful captain in IPL history.

2012: Daniel Vettori – Virat Kohli

Despite starting each IPL season as favorites, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have yet to secure a title in their 14 seasons of participation. Despite reaching the final three times, including in 2011 under the leadership of Daniel Vettori, they have been unable to clinch the trophy. In the following season, RCB struggled, winning only two of their first five games.

In a bold move, young Indian batsman Virat Kohli was appointed captain midway through the season, despite still proving himself on the international stage. Though the team had mixed results under his leadership, finishing fifth on the points table, Kohli was subsequently appointed full-time captain in 2013. Over the next eight years, his captaincy had its ups and downs. The team’s breakthrough came in 2016, when they reached the IPL final for the third time.

2009: Kevin Pietersen – Anil Kumble

In 2008, Rahul Dravid led the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. But after just one season, he decided to step down as captain. RCB then bought Kevin Pietersen for INR 1.55 million before the 2009 IPL season and made him captain right away. However, things didn’t go well for RCB under Pietersen’s leadership, losing four out of the first five games.

The team owner, Vijay Mallya, became impatient and replaced Pietersen as captain. Anil Kumble, the Indian leg-spinning expert, took over as captain. Under his leadership, RCB performed exceptionally, winning eight out of the next 10 matches and making it to the finals. Unfortunately, they lost to the Deccan Chargers in the final match.