Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody admitted that New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will be a doubtful starter for his side’s Indian Premier League match against Kolkata Knight Riders, PTI reported.
Williamson had suffered a shoulder injury during New Zealand’s second Test against Bangladesh, but he joined the Hyderabad side along with compatriot Martin Guptill on Friday. “It’s not a long term injury, whether he plays, we will take a call tomorrow,” Moody said on the eve of the match.
“We have got quite a few days before our next home game. If he’s not available I don’t see any issues. Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] will lead our side since he’s is our vice-captain.”
Hyderabad play their second match at home against Rajasthan Royals on March 29. Williamson had guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a runners-up finish after being appointed skipper last season following David Warner’s ouster due to the infamous ball-tampering scandal.
Warner has returned to the franchise this season but Hyderabad have retained Williamson as the skipper. “Kane is obviously the standing International captain who is admired globally on that platform and what he did with us last year, we felt that it seemed to make sense to continue that continuity,” Moody said.
“Leadership comes in many different fashions and Davey [Warner] still has a leadership role within the group. In the middle with bat in hand and around training and out in the middle when it comes to strategy from over to over. We just felt there was no need to make any change from last year.”
