Martin Guptill finally takes guard for Sunrisers Hyderabad

David Warner's departure brought the Black Caps star in the SRH XI against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

Published : May 02, 2019 22:00 IST , Chennai

Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Martin Guptill at a media interaction in Hyderabad in March.
Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Martin Guptill at a media interaction in Hyderabad in March.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Martin Guptill at a media interaction in Hyderabad in March.

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill could not have asked for a better time to make his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad. With less than a month to go for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the seasoned batsman will be hoping to make the limited opportunities count.

David Warner (Australia) and Jonny Bairstow (England) had blocked all vacancies in the SRH top order in the beginning of the league. Guptill sneaked in — against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday — as both the openers left for national commitments ahead of the big-ticket event that starts in the UK from May 30.

MI vs SRH| Highlights

The Black Caps star doesn’t have a great IPL record. He averages 21 in 11 games with a solitary fifty to his name. He has been part of Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians in the past.

Having been on the sidelines for 12 games in the SRH camp must have taught him the tricks to shine in franchise cricket.

Though it has been a while, Guptill is coming on the back of three centuries — twice (117 not out, 118) in the ODI series against Bangladesh, and a 120 in the Plunket Shield for Auckland.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson's presence in SRH will provide the much required cushion for Guptill. "We have better understanding, know each other’s game and know how to put up good performances," he had been vocal about the chemistry.

"I am not sure that I am going to play straight-away. I will have to wait before I get my chance in the playing eleven and I am ready to give my best when I do get the chance," the 32-year-old Guptill had said in a press conference in March.

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