IPL 2018: Sunrisers Hyderabad to wait on Cricket Australia call over David Warner: Mentor VVS Laxman

Hyderabad, March 26: Amid doubts over David Warner's participation in the Indian Premier League, Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor VVS Laxman on Monday (March 26) said the franchise would wait for Cricket Australia's decision on the player, who finds himself embroiled in a ball tampering controversy. Steve Smith and Warner stood down as captain and vice-captain for rest of Australia's third Test match against South Africa on Sunday for involvement in ball tampering on the third day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

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"It's very unfortunate what has happened in the Cape Town Test. As far as Sunrisers is concerned, it's too early for us to comment. Because, it was, just which has happened day before yesterday (Saturday). We will wait for decision of Cricket Australia," Laxman said.

David Warner on Faf Du Plessis, after Faf was charged for #balltampering by the ICC.

"From an Australian cricket perspective we hold our heads high.. I'd be very disappointed if one of our team members did that.."#CricketAustralia pic.twitter.com/OBVLHlA7VP

— Brayden Cocks (@brayden_cocks) March 25, 2018

Facing severe backlash for his role in ball tampering , Smith on Monday relinquished his captaincy at Rajasthan Royals and the script could pan out similarly for Warner, too.

Asked if there is an alternative plan in the event of any harsh action against Warner, he said SRH is not even thinking on those lines at the moment.

CA chief in South Africa

"The information available at the moment is very limited. So, we will wait for further information. If at all, the need be, then we will discuss about that. As far as Warner is concerned, he has been an exceptional leader for Sunrisers group," Laxman said.

It's time that Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad cancel their contracts with Steve Smith and David Warner. No ball tamperer should be allowed into the Indian Premier League.

— Vivek (@kaul_vivek) March 25, 2018

Sunrisers, champions of IPL 2016, start their final leg of preparation from March 30 for the IPL, which begins on April 7.

"It's not very often where you are in that position where you plan and you target certain players and you get those players in the auction. We are very pleased with the way the auction went. Especially, we are happy with the way we got the domestic players.

"Because, over the last few years, that's one area where unfortunately Sunrisers hasn't been able to do well. We expect a lot from our domestic talent and they were, unfortunately, not been able to play to their potential. So, it was important for us to have a strong Indian players this time. We are happy that we got a lot of them," he said.

Nasser Hussain "David Warner has sledged everyone all around the world possibly with the exception of India maybe because of Indian Premier League contracts” #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) March 24, 2018

Marquee players, including Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kane Williamson, continue to be part of the squad for this edition. The franchise has acquired new players like Wriddhiman Saha, Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan to bolster its strength.

Williamson is a leader within the group and he is a fantastic player who keeps improving in every aspect of his game, Laxman said.

"I think what was important for us is to retain the majority of players who form the core group of Sunrisers family and Kane is definitely a part of that core group," he said.

"With seven overseas players, we got the luxury of playing various combinations and that's something which was intentional and conscious effort from us when we went into the auction," he said.