Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan says the 2016 champions are putting their weight behind youngsters and hoping they deliver the goods during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting September 19.
Given the make-up of the squad and their likely first-choice XI, Sunrisers are looking at a season where they'll have to give youngsters a push, especially in the middle-order and the fast bowling slots.
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Recognising the need to bolster their Indian personnel, the team made some good buys at the auction and now boast of promising names such as Abdul Samad, Abhishek Sharma, Khaleel Ahmad, Priyam Garg and Sanjay Yadav.
"This year we went with very young talent because we are looking at giving opportunities to the youngsters and try to get the best out of them," said Muralitharan in a video shared over Twitter by the franchise.
"When I come to training, without bowling it will be boring so I thought to give them a hand because there are not as many net bowlers. We had to bring net bowlers from India," he added.
The spin legend is also elated to back doing what he loves and feels Sunrisers are training really well after the prolonged COVID-19 break in anticipation of their first match on September 21 in Dubai against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
"It is something special, because after COVID, and six-seven months of staying at home and nothing to do, to be back with SunRisers and hopefully, we will do well in this tournament."
"Boys are training very hard and we are looking forward to the big guns to come, they are yet to come. We are looking forward to the first match."
Sunrisers also have a new head coach this season in Trevor Bayliss, who had overseen England's run to the 2019 World Cup title. Muralitharan is backing the man to have just as positive an influence on the franchise.
"I know him, he had coached me as well for four years in Sri Lanka," he said. "We know each other and I think it is a new addition and it is a different way of thinking. In the last seven years, Tom was very good with us and hopefully, Trevor Bayliss will do a better job."
Muralitharan also said given how used to Sunrisers are of playing infront of huge crowds in Hyderabad, it will be quite odd to turn up without any spectators present across venues in UAE.
"It is something different for us because we have never played a cricket game without fans. So, definitely we are going to miss the fans and hopefully all the fans will be supporting us through the TV and giving all the good blessings for the SunRisers. Hopefully, we will win this tournament," he signed off.
(Inputs from ANI)
