IPL 2018 | Kane Williamson replaces David Warner as Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper

For his involvement in Sandpaper-gate, the ball-tampering saga that rocked Australian cricket, Warner has been handed a one-year ban from all types of representative cricket - above grade level - in Australia. In addition to that, the CA also revealed that the flamboyant opener could never lead the Australian side until the end of his cricket career. The BCCI also sided with their Australian counterparts on the issue and stopped the duo, Warner and Steve Smith, from participating in the 2018 edition of the IPL. 

And now, while both the franchises are waiting to announce the replacements for the duo, they have clarified the names of their new leaders who will lead the pack in the tournament that starts in less than two weeks from now. While Rajasthan had already announced that Ajinkya Rahane, as expected, would be their new skipper, Hyderabad handed the reins of the side to Kiwi skipper Williamson for the 11th edition of the league. 

"I've accepted the role to stand in as captain for this season. It's an exciting opportunity with a talented group of players. I look forward to the challenges ahead," Williamson was quoted as saying by SRH on Twitter. 

Yesterday, after Warner was sent back home by Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, Williamson stated that he was in contact with his IPL teammate and also threw his weight behind him by saying the Aussie is not as bad as he has been deemed by the media and fans. 

The upcoming edition of the IPL will begin on April 8 with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on the returning Chennai Super Kings at the former’s home ground at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 2016 champions Sunrisers, however, will play their first match at home on April 9 in which they will take on Rajasthan Royals.