Tom Moody : Not expecting Shikhar Dhawan to go out there and suddenly play like David Warner

04/09/2018

SRH coach Tom Moody has come out to say that he does not want Shikhar Dhawan to play like David Warner in the absence of the Australian batsman from the SRH squad this season. Moody added that Rajasthan Royals are a strong side and it would be a good challenge for his team to test themselves today.

The absence of Australian skipper David Warner meant that the other batsmen in the SRH dugout would have to chip in to make up for his loss. Warner was bestowed with the orange cap during the 2016 season in which the Hyderabad-based franchise lifted the IPL trophy for the first time in their short history. And Australian coach Tom Moody, who is at the helm of the SRH franchise as well, said that he did not expect left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan to make up for Warner’s absence. He reiterated that he did not want the players in his squad to play like the Aussie batsman.

“I respect the fact that Williamson plays differently than Warner but we’ve got a different dynamic to our top six than we’ve had in the IPL so far. We will play the brand of cricket that suits our strengths. I’m not expecting Shikhar (Dhawan) to go out there and suddenly play like Warner.

“I want Shikhar to play like Shikhar Dhawan because to me he’s been world-class for us and he’s been world-class for India over a long period of time. No one’s expected to go out there and replace Warner. I expect them to be themselves and express themselves for who they are. We’ve got the utmost confidence in the players that will be in our top six or seven,” Moody was quoted as saying by Wisden India.

A new-look Rajasthan Royals side under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane will face the Sunrisers at the latter's home turf in today’s IPL encounter. Moody highlighted that the returning Royals will prove to be a tough challenge for his team and will help them test their squad strength.

“We’re obviously very excited and it’s nice to be able to play our first game at home without being on the road, which is a good transition. Given that we’ve managed to play a couple of practice games at the venue, we could also practice at the venue over the last week or so and so we’re ready to go. We recognize that Rajasthan are a strong side, a competitive side and a side that’s got something to prove, given their absence from the league in the last couple of years.

“The wicket’s going to be good as it’s always been here in Hyderabad. We’ve been very lucky to have an excellent groundstaff and a head groundsman and the actual surfaces we’ve played over the last few years have been second to none,” added Moody.

Tom Moody : Not expecting Shikhar Dhawan to go out there and suddenly play like David Warner

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