Laxman, Srikkanth mentors for Sunrisers

HYDERABAD: The new Sunrisers IPL team took over the Hyderabad franchise, is hoping to take flight under the triumvirate of Krishnamachari Srikkanth, VVS Laxman and Tom Moody in IPL-6.

Srikkanth, who till recently was the chairman of the national selection committee, will be the mentor and strategical analyst.

Laxman, who quit international cricket in August this year, will be the mentor-ambassador while the Australian Moody, will take over as coach of the team.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Srikkanth said it was a big challenge to take up his new role as mentor of a team. 'Cricket is a team game. I always believe it is multiple people putting their heads together. Laxman, being a son of the soil and a superstar himself, has terrific experience.

Moody is the official coach. We all know what it takes to make a winning combination. We will work in tandem,' said Srikkanth, adding that Laxman, who could not attend the function because of a bereavement in his family, will be the key member in the core group.

The Sun Group which purchased the Hyderabad franchise for a whopping `425.2 crores after the Board of Control for Cricket in India terminated the Deccan Chargers' contract, explained the reasons for naming the team Sunrisers.

'A sunrise is not only a symbol of hope but it also symbolizes all that is new in life, in happiness and in zest,' the release said.

The logo depicts an eagle soaring high, looking into the core of a rising sun, absorbing the colours of the bright star to become 'one with the sun'.

Srikkanth said they were confident of putting the team together and hope for a good result. ' We have people like Kumar Sangakkara, Dale Steyn and others. We are confident of making a big impact, even making the semifinals and win the cup in Hyderabad,' he said.

'To me this is a challenge which I will relish. We have got some exciting players and we are looking to build on that in the new year in the new auction. We need to create a winning culture,' said Moody.

S Shanmugam, CEO of Sun Group, said their group has a big presence in Hyderabad and it is a new innings for their group. 'We love the game. We are always in the entertainment business and sports is part of it. There is nothing wrong in choosing an IPL team,' he said.

List of players retained by Sunrisers: Indians: Abhishek Jhunjunwala, Akash Bhandari, Akshath Reddy, Amit Mishra, Anand Rajan, Ankit Sharma, Bharat Chipli, B Samantray, S Dhawan, Veer Pratap Singh, Parthiv Patel, Ashish Reddy, DB Ravi Teja, Ishant Sharma. Foreign players: K Sangakkara (capt), C White, D Steyn, Chris Lynn, Jean-Paul Duminy, Juan Theron.