Proteas legend AB de Villiers has expressed his disappointment over Aiden Markram’s sudden removal as captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Aiden Markram replaced by Pat Cummins
Markram’s leadership role, despite guiding the SunRisers Eastern Cape to consecutive SA20 titles, wasn’t enough to secure him the captaincy for the Hyderabad franchise in IPL 2024.
Instead, SRH opted for a major shake-up, appointing Pat Cummins, their record-breaking signing from the IPL auction, as captain.
Ab de Villiers questions Timing ahead of IPL 2024
While acknowledging the rationale behind appointing Pat Cummins, a World Cup-winning captain with immense experience, Ab de Villiers voiced his concerns about the timing of Aiden Markram’s removal. He highlighted Markram’s recent success and suggested that the South African deserved more time to prove himself at the helm.
“There’s reason for him (Cummins) to be captain, but it’s a bit of an upset to see Aiden being moved aside for him, even though he’s won back-to-back titles,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
Potential Australian Influence
Ab De Villiers further expressed his reservations about the lack of time given to Markram, especially considering the changes in coaching staff. He pointed out the potential influence of SRH’s new head coach, Daniel Vettori, who also holds a coaching role with the Australian national team.
This connection, along with the possible future involvement of Andrew McDonald in SRH’s coaching setup, raised concerns about an “Australian flavour” taking over the franchise.
Wait-and-See Approach for SRH
Ab de Villiers’ comments highlight the surprise surrounding Aiden Markram’s removal and the potential influence of Australian connections within the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise.
While acknowledging the logic behind Pat Cummins appointment, the sudden change has raised questions about the team’s long-term vision and its commitment to developing young leadership talent. Only time will tell if SRH gamble on Cummins will pay off or if they will face the consequences of potentially disrupting their leadership continuity.
