KXIP vs SRH, IPL 2016: We need to bring our ‘A’ game against KXIP, says coach Tom Moody

KXIP vs SRH, IPL 2016: We need to bring our ‘A’ game against KXIP, says coach Tom Moody
SRH coach Tom Moody cautioned his team for complacency ahead of their match against struggling Kings XI Punjab.

Sunrisers Hyderabad are currently top of the points table in IPL. (Source: BCCI)

A win out of remaining three games will be enough for Sunrisers Hyderabad to secure a play-off berth, but the table-toppers’ coach Tom Moody on Saturday cautioned against complacency against a struggling Kings XI Punjab in a IPL T20 clash in Mohali on Sunday.

“We know they are a dangerous side, they have got some match winners within their side. They haven’t had the consistency that they would have liked to this point. We need to bring our A game tomorrow. Because if we drop our guard in any department, bat, ball or in the field, we know they are a side that can hit hard,” Moody said at the sidelines of his team’s net session, in which few senior players did not take part and opted to take rest.

Asked what has actually helped the team do so well this season, the 50-year-old former Australian batsman said, “I think if you look at the squad that we have got this year as compared to previous years, with the two sides that have been banned from the IPL, what it has done is that it has freed up a few players who we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to access to at the auction process or even through trading.”

He said veteran Indian players like Yuvraj Singh and Ashish Nehra lend depth to the squad and bring experience within the group and it is good to have local players like Barinder Sran.

“It is always nice to have players who have experience in the local conditions. One, they obviously know how the surface plays here and they also feel comfortable given the number of games that they have played here. So, they have a little bit of local support, all these things add up to small advantages.

“I am still sure that the majority of support will be behind Kings XI, but again we come to expect that on an away game,” Moody said.

The coach backed Mustafizur Rahman, who remained wicketless giving away 39 runs against Delhi Daredevils in the previous game, saying he was confident that the young Bangladeshi bowler will bounce back in tomorrow’s game.

“He is fine, everyone has a bad day, even the best (have a bad day). He has been terrific for us throughout the season. We don’t see that being any different. He didn’t quite get the consistency (against Delhi) that he has shown throughout the series so far, but we expect him to bounce back tomorrow,” Moody said.