Williamson captaincy proves masterstroke for Sunrisers
Kane Williamson’s batting and captaincy have made the Sunrisers Hyderabad tournament favourites ahead of next week’s Indian Premier League playoffs.
Yes, they lost a thriller to the Royal Challengers Bangalore yesterday, finishing 14 runs short in what would have been an IPL record chase for 219.
Williamson made 81 from 42 balls. Needing 20 off the final over, he was caught on the boundary by New Zealand teammate Colin de Grandhomme.
However, SRH top the round robin table on 18 points, with only Chennai Super Kings capable of ousting them.
Williamson’s performances are rivalling the Swiss Railways timetable for consistency and speed.
The New Zealand captain’s statistical contribution has been eight scores of 50 or more from 13 innings, the most at the 2018 edition. His strike rate is 140. Only two knocks returned less than 29.
Opposition bowlers might want to preserve and ogle his third-ball duck, against Kings XI Punjab on April 26, as if it were a Faberge egg.
The 27-year-old’s form prompted New Zealand coach Mike Hesson, moonlighting as a television analyst, to set a field around what looked like an old Test Match board game within a Mumbai studio. Hesson moved fielders about to show how Williamson exploits gaps.
His solution to contain him? You need 12 men on the field.
Williamson’s return on a $641,000 season’s investment has made him a blue-chip stock, especially given he spent tracts of past tournaments as a ring-in. This left New Zealand fans bemused; now the world knows why.
However, let’s not get obsessed by the glut of runs.
More important has been Williamson’s captaincy and his manmanagement after inheriting the role from Australian ball-tampering conspirator David Warner.
His inclusive demeanour has proven the perfect medium for a team that could have unravelled when Warner stepped down.
Williamson was a team man helping in the background before his elevation to the “First XI” this season. He will expect the same respect accorded to those who replaced him. Hence the unity among the rank and file.
The Weekend Herald understands Williamson initially thought he might have more say in team selection, much like he would with New Zealand. He quickly realised such matters in an Indian franchise environment are easiest left to coaching staff and the various strata of ownership.
His job is to get the best out of the players on the field.
Four IPLs and four international tours with New Zealand — the last two as captain — have yielded plenty of wisdom.
Williamson’s insights are obvious from quotes he made to the Weekend Herald a fortnight ago.
Quote 1: “Coming in, I was curious about some of the differences I might face between captaining your country versus a franchise here. I’m a believer we are playing in an Indian team.”
Tick — an “Indian” as opposed to an “international” team. Williamson’s recognition and respect for the origins of the tournament are clear.
Quote 2: “I have always been of a belief you want to hear other voices. If you walk in one direction, guys need to have a say in that, otherwise it’s quite difficult for them to embrace.”
Tick — a nod to his consultative approach.
Williamson had not captained any of his players before the campaign. He estimated there were 14 new recruits at Hyderabad this year.
The question now is whether they can win the tournament on the back of the skipper’s contribution, thus matching the 2016 feat of Warner and incumbent coach Tom Moody.
Judging by their performances this year, they’re obvious contenders to do so.