IPL 2024: Australian pace spearhead Pat Cummins has been appointed as the new captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which is set to begin later this month. It was expected that SRH management would do so, after the disappointing performance of the team in the previous two seasons. Notably, Aiden Markram-led SRH finished in last place in the 2023 season.#OrangeArmy! Our new skipper Pat Cummins 🧡#IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/ODNY9pdlEf— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 4, 2024What makes Pat Cummins a great choiceThe 30-year-old fast bowler brings a lot of experience and leadership qualities to the role. Recently, he led the Australian national team to a historic double, claiming both the World Test Championship and the One-Day International World Cup. Analysts believe this decision signals a fresh start for the Hyderabad-based franchise. SRH hopes that Cummins renowned leadership skills, honed on the international stage, will translate into success in the high-pressure environment of the IPL. The fast bowlers calm demeanor and tactical acumen are seen as valuable assets that can galvanize the team.Multi-dimensional playerThis will be Cummins first foray into IPL captaincy, although he is no stranger to the league. He previously played for the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he smashed the fastest fifty in IPL history, scoring 50 runs off just 14 balls. Interestingly, Cummins also holds the distinction of being the first player ever to receive a bid exceeding Rs 20 Crore during the IPL auction, before ultimately being acquired by SRH. However, this record was recently surpassed by Mitchell Starc, who was signed by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a staggering Rs 24.75 Crore.Big names in SRHs squadThe SRH squad for the 2024 season includes a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. Alongside Cummins, the side features established names like the explosive Glenn Phillips, the ever-reliable Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and the Sri Lankan spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga. With a potent combination on the field and a proven leader in the squad, SRH fans will be hoping for a much-improved performance in the upcoming season.SRH IPL 2024 Full SquadAbdul Samad, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Rahul Tripathi, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Sanvir Singh, Heinrich Klaasen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Agarwal, T. Natarajan, Anmolpreet Singh, Mayank Markande, Upendra Singh Yadav, Umran Malik, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Travis Head, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pat Cummins (C), Jaydev Unadkat, Akash Singh, Jhathavedh Subramanyan.
