Captain David Warner is all but banking on batsman Kane Williamson to play a key role in the Sunrisers Hyderabad's IPL 2020 Qualifier 2 against the Delhi Capitals in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The winner of this match will play the Mumbai Indians in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 10 November 2020.
Williamson struck an unbeaten half-century in Friday's victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator.
“Kane is our banker. What a masterclass player he is, always manages to find a way to dig deep. Whenever we find ourselves in trouble, he manages to stick in there and plays the pressure innings,” said Warner.
“We don't expect that but that's what he does and he's been doing it for years for New Zealand. Can't speak highly enough of the bloke.”
Williamson on Holder
Williamson praised West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder, who was a late addition to the squad in the absence of the injured Mitchell Marsh. Holder took three important wickets in the win over Bangalore – and hit 24 not out.
“Holder is cooler than me, he's playing beautifully with ball and bat, that all-rounder role in any team is vital and he's been performing beautifully,” said Williamson.
“And like I said, put together some partnerships and that partnership in the end when Jason came in and fired a few shots to get us across the line was really nice. So look it's been an interesting sort of last two weeks for us, but a lot of contributions throughout, and the guys are fighting hard.”
Williamson and Holder will likely be opponents when the West Indies and New Zealand meet later this year.
The Sunrisers won the 2016 final against Bangalore. They lost the 2018 final to the Chennai Super Kings. Mumbai are the reigning champions and have won the IPL four times. Chennai have three titles. The Kolkata Knight Riders have two. The Rajasthan Royals have one.
This year's IPL is being played in the United Arab Emirates, not India. The UAE co-hosted the tournament in 2014. It is being played without spectators, as a preventative measure against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.