'That’s a team that can win' - AB de Villiers talks up SRH’s chances in IPL 2024

With the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in a few months time, the ten franchises put in their best efforts to get the best players in their squads from the auction. The likes of Mitchell Starc, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, and many more stars went under the hammer and joined different sides.

One team that made several heads turn in the auction was Sunrisers Hyderabad. The side roped in many stars and even broke the bank for Australian skipper Pat Cummins, bringing him in for INR 20.5 crore.

Speaking of their auction buys, former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers came forward to talk about Hyderabad’s chances in the upcoming season of the IPL. With the likes of Travis Head, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Pat Cummins in the side, De Villiers opined that SRH could go all the way in the upcoming season.

“One of the biggest steals of the IPL, Wanindu Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan leg-spinner, only INR 1.5 crore, I mean, do me a favour. That guy wins games, every second game he plays, he does something special. This team was one of my favourite squads last season. They have only added to the squad with Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Unadkat, Hasaranga and a few others,” AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel. 

“That’s a team that can win the IPL. I am not going to tell you that they will win the IPL. But, Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2024, watch out,” he added.

I would still go with Aiden Markram as captain: De Villiers

Furthermore, AB de Villiers opined that despite Hyderabad having several star players in the side, he would still opt for South Africa’s Aiden Markram as the side’s skipper for the upcoming season. 

“I will still go with Aiden Markram as captain. I've played with this guy before. He's got a very good leadership brain on his head. I think he'll do better this season, and has got a very good squad to work with,” De Villiers said.