As the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) approaches, cricket fans are buzzing with excitement. The upcoming season is set to kick off on March 22nd, and teams are gearing up with rigorous practice sessions. Amidst the preparations, renowned Indian spinner and Rajasthan Royals player Ravichandran Ashwin has raised eyebrows over the decision of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise to appoint Pat Cummins as captain.
Ashwin’s comments have sparked discussions among fans and experts alike, with many expressing surprise at SRH’s choice for captaincy. Cummins, an Australian fast bowler, is undoubtedly a talented player, but his selection as captain comes as a deviation from the norm in IPL, where captains are typically chosen from among the team’s local or established international players.
Ashwin’s Remarks
Speaking on his official YouTube channel about the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his surprise regarding the choice of Pat Cummins as captain. He stated, “The Sunrisers franchise has consistently performed well in the T20 format, clinching two consecutive titles with remarkable performances. When they appointed Pat Cummins as captain, I was quite taken aback.
Cummins as Captain
Sunrisers Hyderabad has announced that Pat Cummins will take on the role of captain for the upcoming IPL 2024 season. Cummins, renowned for his leadership skills, has previously captained the Australian national team in both ODIs and Test matches. Under his captaincy, Australia achieved remarkable success, including winning the ODI World Cup and the inaugural World Test Championship.
Despite his proven leadership abilities in the longer formats of the game, Cummins is relatively inexperienced when it comes to leading a team in T20 cricket. However, his wealth of experience at the international level, coupled with his tactical acumen and strong cricketing knowledge, positions him well to take on this new challenge in the Indian Premier League.
Ashwin’s Critique
Pat Cummins is an inexperienced individual. With several star players in the Sunrisers’ camp, selecting the team under Cummins’ leadership might pose a significant challenge. Traviz Head has been kept as a backup, alongside Markram, Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Hasaranga is a crucial player for them. If they decide that Hasaranga is not needed in some matches, they can opt for Fazle Haque Farooqui or Marco Jansen instead. I believe they will make such a decision.
