Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) shocked the cricketing world on Saturday by sacking David Warner from captaincy and handing the reigns to New Zealand's all-format skipper Kane Williamson. Warner, being the only title-winning captain for the men in orange, the fans, experts and the fraternity wasn't really happy with the call as the left-hander has been one consistent player for them amassing over 500 runs every season he has played for the franchise since 2014.
However, SRH's Director of Cricket of Operations Tom Moody reckoned that they had to make the hard call seeing the balance of the side and unfortunately for Warner, he was the one missing out. Talking to the host broadcaster Star Sports, before the start of his side's game against the Rajasthan Royals about the road for Warner from now on, Moody said, "Firstly it means he is not gonna be playing this particular game and that's purely a decision based on combination.
"We've sort of, come to the conclusion that at this stage we're feeling that the two overseas bat, an all-rounder and Rashid Khan, is our best combination. We looked it at very closely, obviously (Jonny) Bairstow's form and Kane Williamson's form is at a great height and we are very thrilled that they are playing the way they are.
"We had to make the hard call and someone had to miss out and unfortunately for Davey (Warner) on this occasion for him, that's him," Moody further added.
'David Warner will not feature in today's game. The decision is purely based on team combination.'
- Tom Moody, Director of Cricket Operations, SRH#VIVOIPL #RRvSRH pic.twitter.com/8sAncr0hBh
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 2, 2021
Warner, who hasn't had a great tournament with the bat himself, especially the pace at which he likes to bat (strike rate of 110) has suggested some differences with the team management whether it's regarding selection calls or the batting order as well and with the middle-order struggling, they needed one all-rounder which meant Warner was replaced by Afghan off-spinning hard-hitter Mohammad Nabi.
Asked about how Warner has taken this decision, Moody said, "Obviously, he was shocked and disappointed but he has come to terms with the logic behind the things we have been trying to achieve from a team perspective and a franchise perspective and he has been terrific since. He has rallied around the team and more importantly, the team has rallied around him."
Williamson won the toss and chose to bowl first as the Sunrisers made two more changes in their side apart from Warner.