New Delhi: Sunrisers Hyderabad have appointed New Zealand’s Kane Williamson as their captain for the upcoming edition of the IPL. This development comes a day after David Warner stepped down from the helm of affairs following his involvement in the ball tampering controversy.
“We are happy to announce Kane Williamson as the captain on Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2018, – K Shanmugam, CEO, Sunrisers Hyderabad,” tweeted the franchise on Thursday.
The right-hander was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad back in 2015 and he has scored 411 runs for the team across three seasons. After Warner stepped down, speculations about Shikhar Dhawan getting the role grew, but Williamson was eventually handed the responsibility, given his success as a captain for New Zealand.
He said, “I’ve accepted the role to stand in as captain for this season. It’s an exciting opportunity with a talented group of players. I look forward to the challenges ahead.”
The Kiwi skipper earlier had said that he had kept in touch with Warner through text messages.
“He’s not a bad person by any means…Through what’s eventuated in recent times, there’s been a lot of emotion and energy pointed at certain players which has gone to extreme lengths. It will blow over in time, but it’s grown and grown and, like I say, he’s not a bad guy. He’s made a mistake and certainly admitted that and they are disappointed with that action,” Williamson said.