With IPL 2024 all set to commence from March 22, 2024, the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad has made a big decision by appointing their record purchase in the auction, Pat Cummins, as the skipper of the team ahead of the upcoming IPL season. The development comes at the expense of Aiden Markram, who was removed as the captain after leading the team in IPL 2023.
Under Aiden Markram’s captaincy, Sunrisers finished in the last position in the points table after registering only four wins in the 14 games they played. However, the move by the SRH management surprises because the South African batter has helped the SRH-based franchise to lift the SA20 title consecutively.
5 Reasons why SRH shouldn’t have removed Markram as captain
Management instead, trusted the prowess of the Australian bowler as a captain and his surreal 2023 year, which saw him winning the WTC Trophy and ODI World Cup as a skipper. Though, the results of the move will yield later, let us look at the five reasons why Sunrisers should have stuck up with Aiden Markram as a captain.
Undisputed authority as SA20 skipper:
Despite his poor returns as the skipper for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Aiden Markram’s record for Sunrisers Eastern Cape has been nothing short of extraordinary. Captaining in the SA20, he has won two titles in two seasons despite the SEC not being considered as the front-runner to win the championship. The rotation of the bowlers and the performance with the bat has also garnered praise for the 29-year-old South African batter.
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Continuity factor for SRH:
Despite showing poor results last season, it would not be fair to remove Aiden Markram from the leadership role as that was the first IPL season he captained and the change in reigns will break the continuity in the team. Before him, Kane Williamson held the charge of the franchise under whom Hyderabad wasn’t up to the mark. After his removal, Markram was the skipper, so changing the skipper would not be a viable option for the SRH management. The explosive batter knows the team well rather than Cummins, who will join the franchise for the first time.
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Selection dilemma on Cummins:
Not questioning his captaincy abilities, the appointment of Pat Cummins as their skipper will lead to the dilemma of playing four overseas players into the team. Apart from him, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klassen and Marco Jansen are the direct contenders for the playing 11. However, Cummins’ records in T20s shouldn’t guarantee him a place in the 11 as many regular T20 players are there in the squad who can balance the team combination well. The likes of Travis Head, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Wanindu Hasaranga are already in their ranks and make up the team before Cummins.
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Non-commitment for the entire season:
With the T20 World Cup 2024 set to take place just a week after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League, the Australia cricket board may ask their players to return to manage their workload as well as to gear up for the showpiece event. Boards like Cricket Australia and England Cricket are known for their commitment to International events and to keep their players fresh for the tournaments.
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Non-experience of T20 leadership:
Captaining a side in the International arena and leading the charge in the toughest league in the world are two different stories. IPL offers a headache to the skippers, unlike the international games. Adding to the list, Pat Cummins has yet to lead the Australian T20I side in a multi-team tournament as well. His capability as a skipper in the Test and ODI format is unquestionable, but his inexperience as a T20 skipper can’t guarantee success in the SRH camp.
