IPL 2018| Sunrisers Hyderabad shouldn’t be complacent, warns Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar has heaped praise on Sunrisers team and their management after their brilliant back to back wins in low-scoring matches against batting heavy Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab. In his column for TOI, the batting legend has described both these wins as mind-boggling pointing out the over-brimming confidence in the players.

“Mind-boggling is the only way to describe the heists that the Sunrisers Hyderabad pulling off in this IPL. They have twice defended scores where the asking rate for the opposition is less than 7 runs an over. It’s a near-impossible feat and to have done it twice already tells how good the attack is but more importantly the self-belief that this team has,” wrote Gavaskar.

He also pointed out SRH’s mentor, VVS Laxman’s role in the side. Recalling the famous test match against Australia in 2001 at Eden Gardens, where Rahul Dravid and Laxman pulled off an impossible win, Gavaskar stated Laxman’s presence in the dugout has always spurred the unlikeliest of comebacks.

“They have a mentor, the very very special VVS Laxman who with his wristy stroke play and silken timing pulled off a win against the Australians after India was asked to follow on. Of course, he had help from Rahul Dravid and in the bowling from Harbhajan Singh and also Sachin Tendulkar,” said Gavaskar.

“However, if it wasn't for Laxman’s batting and his massive partnership with Dravid India could well have lost the Test and with it, the series. With him in the dugout it’s no surprise that the Sunrisers are rising to the occasion and winning games from impossible situations,” he added. 

Gavaskar also sounded impressed by Tom Moody and Muttiah Muralitharan's coaching apart from skipper Kane Williamson, stating how their ability keep calm in tough situations has been the key to the team’s success.

“They have Tom Moody and the magician Muttiah Muralitharan too in their dugout and so three of the calmest, coolest guys in the dugout ensures that there are no panic stations at all.  The captain Kane Williamson is another cool one, the beard hardly disguising his boyish face and enthusiasm. He has been brilliant in the way he has used his bowlers and his field placing has been immaculate. He and the team management know that they are close to qualifying but they will be telling their team not to relax and be complacent,” added Gavaskar.