Ishaan Shahane from Jeddah
The final press conference on Day 1 of the IPL auctions featured Hemang Badani of Delhi Capitals (DC) and Daniel Vettori of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who shared their perspectives on their team’s auction strategies. Vettori expressed his disappointment over losing T Natarajan, acknowledging his immense value to SRH. “Natarajan is one player we will miss the most,” Vettori admitted. “But every team faces this—whether you seize opportunities early or wait for specific players later. We’re happy with how the auction played out.
“Mohammed Shami and Harshal Patel were surprises for us; we didn’t expect them to go at those prices, but they are proven performers. Ishan Kishan was another target we secured, and we’re thrilled to have him onboard.”
Hemang Badani, on the other hand, exuded confidence in Delhi Capitals’ acquisitions, particularly their bowling unit. “I am confident in our bowlers—Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel. They will deliver for the Capitals,” he stated.
Vettori revealed he had discussed the auction strategy with SRH captain Pat Cummins, who provided valuable inputs and understood the franchise’s approach. “Pat shared ideas for squad-building, and he was aligned with the logic behind our bidding strategy,” he noted.
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Both Vettori and Badani also supported the RTM (Right to Match) system, with Vettori calling it a fair mechanism. “It challenges teams to justify their decisions and ensures players are acquired at a reasonable value,” Vettori said. Badani echoed the sentiment, emphasising, “It’s about ensuring players receive a fair price, which reflects their true value.”
Discussing key players, Vettori highlighted Shami’s abilities in the powerplay, labelling him one of the best bowlers in recent IPL seasons. He also praised Harshal for his versatility, saying, “He proved himself last season. Together, they bring balance, being effective across all stages of the game.”
Regarding their overall strategy, Vettori stressed prioritising players with recent IPL success. “For instance, Rahul Chahar might not have had the best season last year, but we still believe he’s a quality spinner and will thrive in our conditions. Meanwhile, Badani expressed faith in Harry Brook, stating, “Brook’s recent form has been exceptional. Wherever he’s played, he’s delivered, and we trust him to do the same for us.”
The insights shared by both coaches highlighted their strategic planning and optimism following Day 1 of the auction.
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