Sunrisers Hyderabad will stay cool in Kanpur’s intense heat, says Tom Moody
Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody is confident his side will adapt well to the scorching heat of Kanpur when they take on Gujarat Lions in a must-win IPL 2017 game on Saturday.
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s coach Tom Moody doesn’t live in illusion and believes in present and that’s why he is focused on a win in the IPL 2017 game against hosts Gujarat Lions on Saturday instead of thinking of results of the other matches to make it to the play-offs.
“We are here to win the game and not worrying about other results. We are concerned with only things which are under our control and I don’t think that thinking anything beyond this is worthy at this moment,” Moody told on the eve of the IPL-10 encounter at the Green Park Stadium.
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Accepting an afternoon game is quite challenging, former Australian cricketer claimed it’s a going to be a tough call, but one has to adjust with it as it’s an equal situation for both teams. “Certainly, it’s a tough conditions with mercury rising to 45 degree Celsius, but players know how to adjust in such a situation.”
On the issue of inconsistent showing after having a good start this season, Moody admitted all the teams have equal strengths and maintaining consistent showing is really difficult. But his side did their best to win as many as matches to be on the verge of qualifying for the play-offs.
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Admiring the young lot in the side, Moody praised Siddarth Kaul and Siraj Khan for using the opportunities well whenever they’ve got chances. “It’s really great to see these youngsters doing well in the cash-rich league and it is their hard work, which have helped them let their presence felt for the side.”
He, however, accepted that fielding and catching were other areas where team still needs to do well. “It’s not just batting and bowling, but you have to be good in fielding too. We have guys who are better in batting and bowling, but for the overall dominance we need to be perfect in all departments even in ground fielding and catching,” said Moody.
Weak Bowling
Meanwhile, Gujarat Lions’ assistant coach Mohammad Kaif accepted that weak bowling pushed the team back this season. “We had our moments and we were batting well, but at the same time I can say we weren’t that good in the bowling department.”
“There are a lot of young bowlers in the side and we kept experimenting with everyone, but nothing worked out seriously. Basil Thampi started well in first few matches and even we tried many combinations etc.”
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He, however, accepted that absence of all-rounder Dwayne Bravo was a big miss for the side this season. “He (Bravo) was a match-winner for us last season and if he had been here this season, the present scenario could have been different.”
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“We want to finish with a win. Everyone wants to do his best as their performance would count when the next year’s auctions takes place before the IPL as they would have a chance to be picked by other teams.”
Former UP Ranji Trophy captain Kaif refused to accept that arrests of bookies at team’s hotel has affected players morale ahead of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. “This has nothing to do with us. ACU is looking into the matter. The boys aren’t affected with any controversy, and they are focused to their planning of the match,” said Kaif.
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