IPL 2022: Alarm Bells Started For SRH When Simon Katich Left Just After The Auction - Shane Watson

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said it was an injustice for Simon Katich to leave Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) before the start of the IPL 2022. Ahead of the season, Katich was named to the new coaching staff of SRH led by head coach Tom Moody.

The former Australian player was appointed as the assistant coach of the Orange Army along with Brian Lara (batting coach and strategic advisor) and Dale Steyn (fast bowling coach). Just a week after the IPL 2022 auction, Katich stepped down from the role as he wasn’t satisfied with the auction picks.

Simon Katich’s resignation is a warning sign to start with: Shane Watson 

According to The Australian, Katich decided to quit following a disagreement on how the team was being managed but also felt that the pre-auction plans were not followed during the two-day event in Bengaluru.

Watson, who is the assistant coach of the Delhi Capitals, said that Katich’s resignation served as a warning sign for the franchise this season.

“Alarm bells started when Simon Katich left just after the auction. That’s normally not a great sight because Katich is one of the most generally good people.

“It’s really injustice really if people really go against what they say. So obviously something has gone down there that Katich stepped away immediately and won’t be a part of it. That’s a warning sign to start with,” Watson said on ‘The Grade Cricketer’ Podcasts. 

The make-up of the SRH team is not incredibly strong: Shane Watson

SRH lost their first match of the IPL 2022 by 61 runs against Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Rajasthan Royals posted a gigantic score of 210/6 in the first innings and their bowlers made it look easy to defend the target as SRH were restricted to 149/7 at the end of the game.

Yuzvendra Chahal (3/22), Prasidh Krishna (2/16), and Trent Boult (2/23) bowled with perfect execution of their plans to help the Royals script a 61-run victory. Watson said there is something wrong inside the team which won’t help them in the tournament.

“The make-up of their team is not incredibly strong and then how they have performed in the first game. Yes, Rajasthan Royals have a very good squad, and they played really well, but it’s not looking great. It feels like there is a lot of stuff around the team that is obviously not helping everything on the field,” he said. 

SRH will play their next game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 4 while RR will meet Mumbai Indians on April 2.

Also Read: SRH vs RR: SRH Coach Tom Moody Raises Questions Over Kane Williamson’s Controversial Dismissal