Wriddhiman Saha: ‘SRH has good bench strength’

In the backdrop of the ball-tampering episode, Saha has said that Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bench strength would help the team in the scenario of David Warner’s unavailability.

According to Wriddhiman Saha, the SRH captaincy would not be a big issue either. (File Photo)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha says that in case David Warner is debarred from playing the Indian Premier League (IPL), then finding a replacement for the aggressive Aussie opener will not be a problem for his team.

In the backdrop of the ball-tampering episode, which resulted in the removal of captain Steve Smith and vice-captain Warner from the Australian side, Saha has said that SRH’s bench strength would help the team in the scenario of Warner’s unavailability.

“If Warner stays, it will be good for the team. Our reserve bench is strong. The replacement (of Warner) may not be 100 per cent, but it will be close enough,” said Saha at a ‘Meet the Press’ event, hosted by the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club, here, on Tuesday.

According to Saha, the SRH captaincy would not be a big issue either. “Whether Warner or Shikhar Dhawan – whosoever is the captain, the ultimate goal is to win. Whatever the team management decides, one has to follow it.”

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Talking about the SRH middle order, Saha said, “I don’t remember all the names, but the middle order is good. Kane Williamson, Deepak Hooda, etc. are there. If Warner and Dhawan start well, then things will become easier for the following batsmen.”

Saha was also pleased about SRH’s track record of defending smaller totals. “In the last one or two years, SRH has won some matches with smaller totals because of bowlers. The plus point is that when batsmen have failed, bowlers have done well to win matches.”

About his own preparation, Saha, who recently scored a 20-ball 102 in a club level match here, said that he had not tried any new shots. “If there is any instruction (from the team), then I will try those shots. Right now, I am playing normal cricketing shots. I am ready to take any responsibility and bat at any place, from 1 to 11.”

Asked whether the public outcry over the quantum of punishment to Smith and Warner, for their involvement in ball-tampering, was an over-reaction, Saha said, “I don’t know the rules. Whatever be the punishment, it should be the same for everyone.”