Muralitharan backs Rashid Khan and Shakib to make IPL splash

Indian Premier League

Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan feels that the team’s best approach would be to field at least two spinners.

The legendary Sri Lanka bowler was full of praise for Bangladesh allrounder Shakib-al-Hasan and Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan.

Muralitharan said: “This time around, it is definite that we will be playing two spinners since Shakib Al Hasan will fit the bill as an allrounder.”

The record Test wicket-taker opined that Shakib could possibly bowl at the death for the Sunrisers while hoping that Rashid can replicate his 2017 IPL form.

He added: “The best part is that Shakib can bowl well in both Powerplay and death overs, while Rashid Khan has been a wicket-taking bowler for us last season. Maybe, we will switch roles between them as far as Powerplays and death overs are concerned.”

Head coach Tom Moody feels that the team is in safe hands after the appointment of Kane Williamson as skipper following the banning of David Warner from the Indian Premier League by the BCCI in the wake of the ball tampering scandal.

Moody said: “Strategically, Kane’s very, very sound.

“He played an important role for the Sunrisers over the last couple of years as an assistant, even though he was not a noted leader, named vice-captain or anything.

“He showed his leadership in support to Warner in the last few years, and clearly showed that not only is he a natural leader, but he’s someone who’s prepared to step up and stand out.”

The Sunrisers finished third on last year’s IPL table before being knocked out by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator.

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