Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) haven’t had the best of starts to the 2020 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). They started the tournament with a loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and that was a game they should’ve won. They collapsed when 43 runs were needed off the last five overs. Meanwhile, they were outplayed by a clinical Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) outfit who chased 143 with two overs to spare.
Moreover, the 2016 IPL champions and 2018 finalists have had injury issues to deal with. Australian seam-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Marsh broke down in the very first game. He hurt his ankle while bowling in the fifth over of the game and has been ruled out of the entire tournament.
In fact, SRH skipper David Warner also revealed that current New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was not fit and was unavailable for selection for the first game. The former SRH captain hurt his quad during training before the first game against RCB. He also went on to miss the second game against KKR.
However, there is an update on Williamson and his fitness. He is fit, ready and available for selection for SRH’s third game of the tournament which is against the table-toppers Delhi Capitals. And it is Williamson himself who has provided an update on his fitness and availability.
“We have had a lot of time off, the opportunity to get into the gym. We always deal with these little things and try to get on top of them sooner. Yeah, available, ready (for selection). I guess it’s always the balance between the players you want to pick, the areas you want to address and the surfaces that you are presented with and the opposition,” Williamson told during SRH’s game against KKR while speaking to the commentators when asked if he was available for the next game.
Williamson lost his captaincy ahead of the 2020 season and Warner is back at the helm. With Warner, Jonny Bairstow and Rashid Khan being absolute certainties as overseas players in the SRH playing XI, Williamson will need to fight for the fourth overseas player’s spot with Mohammad Nabi who has been in good form. Although, with the SRH batting lineup under pressure and very top-heavy, Williamson’s inclusion might just give them some cushion and stability.
SRH play Delhi Capitals (DC) in the match number 13 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.