IPL 2021: Kane Williamson's Level Head Needed By SRH Amid Hard-Hitters

In a T20 tournament like the Indian Premier League (IPL), where teams look to pack their batting line-ups with big-hitting batsmen, the presence of a technically solid player in the middle order becom

SRH's strategy has changed in this edition. While in the past Jonny Bairstow has successfully opened with Warner setting up century partnerships, Wriddhiman Saha, who did well towards the end of last season at the top of the order, is being persisted with as opener with Warner. Bairstow has been pushed down the order.

This has left the middle order with too many players who are good at hitting the ball but lacks players who pace their innings well, something that is Williamson's greatest strength.

The New Zealand skipper played 12 matches last season, scoring 317 runs at an average of 45.28, and maintained a very good strike rate of 133.75. He has not played in both of the matches that SRH has played thus far and there already are calls to bring him back and provide stability to the batting line-up.

"This view is not after tonight's result but I have always maintained this SRH team needs Kane Williamson in their playing XI no matter what," tweeted former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar, calling the Hyderabad franchise to include him in the playing XI.

Former India opener and captain Virender Sehwag tweeted in his own way. "Kiska hai yeh tumko intezaar, Main hoon Na #SRHvsRCB," he posted a line from a Bollywood movie song on his handle with Williamson's picture. Translated, the tweet read "who are you waiting for, when I am here."