Cricket | Warner steps down as SRH captain

David Warner has stepped down as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League, the franchise confirmed on Wednesday (March 28). The Australia vice-captain took the decision after being involved in the ball-tampering saga in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

"In light of recent events, David Warner has stepped down as captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad. The new captain of the Team will be announced shortly," K.Shanmugam, the CEO of the franchise, said.

Steve Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft were involved in changing the condition of the ball during South Africa's second innings in the Cape Town Test. While Smith and Bancroft admitted to their role in the episode after the third day's play in Newlands, Cricket Australia's investigation found Warner's involvement as well. The troika now faces significant sanctions and have been sent back to Australia.

The decision was expected especially after the rage against the three players and Australian team across the globe. Wriddhiman Saha, who'll be playing for SRH this year, however, felt the decision isn't going to impact the team much. "Our team is strong enough to replace Warner," he told reporters in Kolkata." The team was decided based on the captain. Maybe initially we will get affected but with the reserve that we have, it won't impact much.

"We will definitely have a very strong side if Warner remains in the team. But we have enough replacements to make a good side, if not 100 per ent but closer to that. We can try and fill in the void."

Warner took over the captaincy in 2015 and led the team to a title win next year in Bangalore while they finished fourth in the last edition. Warner has led SRH in 45 games and has won 26 of them. Warner has 4014 runs from 114 matches in the IPL at an average of 31.54 and a strike rate of 138.89. The clarity over his participation in the IPL will only come after Cricket Australia announce the sanctions in the next few hours.

Earlier, Smith also decided to step down as captain of the Rajasthan Royals. Ajinkya Rahane will now lead Royals in the tournament.

(CRICBUZZ)