Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha today said Sunrisers Hyderabad have enough bench strength to replace Australian batsman David Warner, who is facing a lengthy ban from Cricket Australia for his role in the ball tampering scandal.
Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman has made it clear that they would wait for Cricket Australia's decision on Warner, who was forced to step down as Australia's vice-captain for the last two days of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
According to reports, Warner might be banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia, which is currently investigating the ball-tampering issue that has plunged the game into crisis.
"There has been no ultimate decision as yet. Our team is strong enough to replace Warner," Saha told reporters at the Calcutta Sports Journalists' Club.
"The team was decided based on the captain. Maybe initially we will get affected but with the reserve that we have, it won't impact much."
Asked whether Shikhar Dhawan would be the right choice to replace Warner as captain, Saha said: "It will be a team management decision, whoever be the captain the goal will be to win for SRH. We will have to go by the team management's decision. Ultimately the aim will be to win."
On the ball tampering controversy, he said: "I don't think only two people were involved in this. I'm sure the whole team should be held responsible. It's about playing clean cricket and not trying to tamper with the ball and then get a batsman out."
"It's not good if they bring bad name to the sport. I don't know the rule but it (quantum of punishment) should be same for everybody. The rule should be same for everyone."
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