New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson is set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad once again in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) despite the return of Australia’s David Warner.
With Warner absent in the 2018 edition due to his involvement in the ball-tampering saga, it was Williamson who led Hyderabad last year. The Kiwi skipper led the franchise’s charge to a runner-up finish while accumulating 735 runs with the bat from 17 innings at an average greater than 52.
Australia opener Warner had been the team’s designated skipper before 2018 and had led Hyderabad to their maiden IPL title in 2016. The left-hander is the highest run-getter in history among overseas batsman with 4,014 runs from 114 matches and is the only player to score 500 runs or more for four consecutive seasons.
Tell us if you've seen a happier face than Kane Williamson's 😄
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 23, 2019
Watch here what the Kiwi has to say about the #OrangeArmy 🧡 on his return! #ReturnOfTheRiser #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/UMk5Gku3f6
While Williamson is set to lead the franchise in the 2019 edition, India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been designated as the vice-captain. It was Bhuvneshwar who filled in for Williamson on Saturday at the IPL opening ceremony with the New Zealand batsman still nursing a shoulder injury he picked up in the second Test against Bangladesh.
Williamson is a major doubt for Sunrisers’ IPL 2019 campaign opener against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday although he expects to be fit in time for his side’s second match.
“I’m in doubt for the first match, but we actually have a fairly decent break between the first and the second match, which should be more than sufficient time for my injury to heal and for me to be available for selection, so that’s exciting,” the Kiwi skipper told stuff.co.nz.
