Sunrisers Hyderabad’s coach Tom Moody has urged his middle-order batsmen to step up and match the efforts of openers David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan as they look to make a bid for the play-offs.
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Captain Warner (317) and Dhawan (201) have been the top run getters for Hyderabad in the seven games they have played, winning three and losing four.
Their next best have been all-rounder Ravi Bopara (111), wicketkeeper Naman Ojha (107) and KL Rahul (100) but none have been as consistent as the top duo which has left Hyderabad struggling at the sixth place in the eight-team standings.
We both played hard. We both played fair. Thanks again for the awesome game last night, @lionsdenkxip #OrangeArmy https://t.co/3xa5mAGV5P
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 28, 2015
“We certainly hope that that is going to turn around. We need to complement the confidence both David and Shikhar give,” Moody said yesterday. “We know that we need to spring a few wins”
Hyderabad will be hoping for a turn in fortunes as they will be playing their first game of the season at their headquarters Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal today when they line-up against table-toppers Chennai Super Kings.
“Looking forward to playing here. Great ground and it looks like a good wicket,” Moody said.
While Hyderabad enter the game on the back of an encouraging victory against Kings XI Punjab, Chennai are hurting having been trounced by Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.
The two-time champions are not perturbed by the setback but the absence of key spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is a worry.
Ashwin split his right hand webbing while fielding last week and this will be the second game he will be sitting out to treat his injury.
“We don’t [panic]. And that is all because we have a very level-headed captain and coach. In our team we have four international captains and that helps too,” all-rounder Dwayne Bravo said, conveying the mood in their camp.
