Moody praises IPL captains stepping aside

Hyderabad - Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody has praised some captains of Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, who are stepping aside keeping in view their form and fitness.

Moody said such captains were thinking of their teams first. “That’s the best leadership. That’s good captaincy. They are recognizing that in current times against certain teams and in certain environment they are not the best in the playing XI,” he told reporters.

“They have got character and leadership to step aside,” the Australian said. He noted that this had become a trend in IPL. He said certain players named as captains at the start of the tournament have opted out because of form or fitness.

“I think various players have stood down for whatever reason they may well be always thinking the team first.”

Moody was asked if as a coach, he was worried over the change of captains. Sunrisers captain Kumara Sangakkara opted out of two matches because of his poor form. He did not figure in the match against Chennai Super Kings at Chennai as Sri Lankan players were pulled out of all IPL matches played there at the request of Tamil Nadu government. Cameron White led the team in the three matches.

In the last match against Rajasthan Royals, White had to sit out as Sangakkara came back in the team.

Moody declined to comment when asked if White would be included in the playing XI against Mumbai Indians in Wednesday’s match here.

Kings XI Punjab skipper Adam Gilchrist, Mumbai Indians’ Ricky Ponting and Pune Warriors’ Angelo Matthews have all stepped aside to make room for other foreign players.