Pat Cummins, who captained Australia to two major ICC trophies in 2023, the ICC World Test Championship and the World Cup - both at the expense of India - has been appointed as the new captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of IPL 2024.
Sunrisers Hyderabad purchased the Australian skipper for INR 20.5 Crore at the IPL 2024 auctions, making him the first-ever player in IPL history to be sold for at least INR 20 Crore. His Aussie teammate Mitchell Starc, however, was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 24.75 Crore.
South African batsman Aiden Markram was leading the Hyderabad-based outfit in the previous two seasons but failed to lead the team to any sort of success.
As such, the SRH think-tank, led by new head coach Daniel Vettori, has decided to hand over the reins to Cummins.
Given Cummins' experience as a captain at the international level, it's a no-brainer for SRH to appoint him as their captain. Australia's success in the past few years, both in bilateral series and at major tournaments, is a testament to the fact that Cummins has been an incredible leader.
Not just that, but Vettori would also want Cummins to be the captain given that the duo worked together when Australia had appointed the former New Zealand spinner as the assistant coach.
Even though Markram led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to SA20 success earlier this year, Cummins seems to be the likelier candidate to lead SRH in IPL 2024.
MORE: Lance Klusener appointed as LSG's assistant coach
Dale Steyn won't be Sunrisers Hyderabad's bowling coach in IPL 2024
In other developments, former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has made himself unavailable for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.
According to a report from Cricbuzz, the 40-year-old has requested the franchise to allow him to skip IPL 2024 and take a break. Steyn represented both Deccan Chargers and Sunrisers Hyderabad during his playing days.
Steyn is expected to return to the dugout and assume his role in IPL 2025, unless anything changes from now till 2025.
SRH have already started looking for suitable candidates and an announcement seems to be imminent.
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