Focus on Kings XI, not just Maxwell: Moody
Plans set for hard-hitting batsman but SRH also keen to focus on their own strengths
In their first game of the competition, the Sunrisers Hyderabad managed to score just 133 in their 20 overs. Their bowlers did get the game to the final over of the match, but the Rajasthan Royals held their nerves to scamper to a four wicket win. But SRH took a lot of heart from the game according to their coach Tom Moody. “The Sunrisers have not lost their fighting spirit. Even though we felt we didn’t get a score that was enough, what we showed were the qualities we showed last year - the never-die spirit, which can only be derived by a team and not individuals. We have got a team that is prepared to fight," he said.
It has been the case with the Sunrisers where they have always relied on their bowling to do the job for them in the past. This time, however, they boast of a stronger batting line-up with some power-packed batsmen in the side, like David Warner and Aaron Finch, who would need to go all guns blazing when they face the Kings XI Punjab on Tuesday. The Kings XI are on a high after two back-to-back victories with Glenn Maxwell taking centre stage on both occasions. The Sunrisers though have their plans in place for the hard-hitting batsman.
“We have done our thorough review and analysis on Glenn Maxwell.” Moody said. “A lot of players in our side are pretty familiar with Maxwell, like Aaron Finch and David Warner and our assistant coach Simon Hlemot, who coaches Maxwell in Melbourne. We are pretty aware of what his strengths are. But at the end of the day, he is like any other top-quality player; when they get going, they are hard to stop. There is more than Maxwell to concentrate. He is in a rich vein of form, but we don’t want to be distracted by just one player.”
Moody also reiterated that the team needed to focus on their preparation instead of focusing on the opposition. “We need to execute our game as well as possible. We have got no control over Kings XI Punjab’s preparation and the way they play. What we do have control over is how we play and execute our plans. We will be judged on how well we execute with the ball, the bat and in the field, and if we do those three disciplines well, we are hoping tomorrow night we will walk away with a win.”
Meanwhile, captain Shikhar Dhawan was happy with the team’s preparations ahead of the second game. “We are really happy with our preparations. We got a lot of positives to take from our first game where we did well as a bowling unit. Three or four of our batsmen were at the crease for a long time. It is just about getting that momentum right and we are excited for tomorrow’s game.”
Dhawan managed just 38 in the first game while building up a 75-run partnership with David Warner. But the left-handed opener was confident of a good show with the bat in the next game. “The good thing is that my flow is back and I was playing well in the last game. I am looking forward to playing all the games and making a big score for my team tomorrow," Dhawan said.
Talking about Dhawan’s form, Moody added, “I think one of the exciting things from my point of view with regards to Shikhar is that the match leading into the start of the tournament, we played Delhi Daredevils wherein Shikhar scored a magnificent 90. I have been working with him the last few days in the nets and he is hitting the ball as sweetly as I can remember. But we also have a number of top-order batsmen who need to put their hands up and take up the responsibility.”
It has been the case with the Sunrisers where they have always relied on their bowling to do the job for them in the past. This time, however, they boast of a stronger batting line-up with some power-packed batsmen in the side, like David Warner and Aaron Finch, who would need to go all guns blazing when they face the Kings XI Punjab on Tuesday. The Kings XI are on a high after two back-to-back victories with Glenn Maxwell taking centre stage on both occasions. The Sunrisers though have their plans in place for the hard-hitting batsman.
“We have done our thorough review and analysis on Glenn Maxwell.” Moody said. “A lot of players in our side are pretty familiar with Maxwell, like Aaron Finch and David Warner and our assistant coach Simon Hlemot, who coaches Maxwell in Melbourne. We are pretty aware of what his strengths are. But at the end of the day, he is like any other top-quality player; when they get going, they are hard to stop. There is more than Maxwell to concentrate. He is in a rich vein of form, but we don’t want to be distracted by just one player.”
Moody also reiterated that the team needed to focus on their preparation instead of focusing on the opposition. “We need to execute our game as well as possible. We have got no control over Kings XI Punjab’s preparation and the way they play. What we do have control over is how we play and execute our plans. We will be judged on how well we execute with the ball, the bat and in the field, and if we do those three disciplines well, we are hoping tomorrow night we will walk away with a win.”
Meanwhile, captain Shikhar Dhawan was happy with the team’s preparations ahead of the second game. “We are really happy with our preparations. We got a lot of positives to take from our first game where we did well as a bowling unit. Three or four of our batsmen were at the crease for a long time. It is just about getting that momentum right and we are excited for tomorrow’s game.”
Dhawan managed just 38 in the first game while building up a 75-run partnership with David Warner. But the left-handed opener was confident of a good show with the bat in the next game. “The good thing is that my flow is back and I was playing well in the last game. I am looking forward to playing all the games and making a big score for my team tomorrow," Dhawan said.
Talking about Dhawan’s form, Moody added, “I think one of the exciting things from my point of view with regards to Shikhar is that the match leading into the start of the tournament, we played Delhi Daredevils wherein Shikhar scored a magnificent 90. I have been working with him the last few days in the nets and he is hitting the ball as sweetly as I can remember. But we also have a number of top-order batsmen who need to put their hands up and take up the responsibility.”
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