Crowds will love Symonds: VVS

V.V.S. Laxman, Team Hyderabad’s captain in the Indian Premier League, says there will be mixed reactions from the people to Australia’s Andrew Symonds playing in the league. However, Laxman foresees no trouble and says people will love Symonds if he makes match-winning contributions to the team. The Aussie all-rounder has been involved in spats with a number of Indian players including Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma on India’s ongoing India’s tour Down Under. “There will be mixed reactions to Symonds playing here. But when he contributes to the team’s success, I believe people will love him,” Laxman said at the announcement of the final list of players for the Hyderabad team on Monday. “I know Symonds personally. He’s a thorough professional and a match-winner. He’s an asset to the team,” he added. About possible sledging on the field, Laxman said, “There may be few instances (of sledging) because, with so much at stake, the games are likely to be played aggressively.” The elegant Hyderabadi middle order batsman said he expected the team to do its best to win the inaugural edition of the IPL. “We have players who can win matches single-handedly. If we play to our potential, we can win the championship.” The list announced on Monday was without Hyderabad Ranji pace bowler N. Sarvesh Kumar, who had been earlier picked from among a string of promising young players. He had to be omitted from the final list after the BCCI decided not to sign contracts with under-19 players, saying it would distract them during the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Laxman said he was sorry for youngsters like Sarvesh who wouldn’t be playing in the league, but added, “Under-19 players are the future of Indian cricket. BCCI must know what it is doing and will surely act for the good of the boys and Indian cricket.” Team Hyderabad will play 14 matches — seven in Hyderabad and seven away. They begin their campaign against Kolkata in an away match. About the IPL itinerary which adds to the already tight schedule of international players, he said, “The schedule must have been drawn up keeping in view the ICC schedule and available dates.” Laxman said he had no regrets about foregoing icon status in the team’s interest: “Cricket is my priority and I was keen on getting the best players for the team.” Team Hyderabad: V.V.S. Laxman, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Scott Styris, Shahid Afridi, Chaminda Vaas, Chamara Silva, Nuwan Zoysa, R.P. Singh, Rohit Sharma, N. Arjun Yadav, Dwaraka Ravi Teja, Pragyan Prayish Ojha, Doddapaneni Kalyankrishna, P. Vijay Kumar, Y. Venugopala Rao and Halhadar Das. Coach: Robin Singh. Manager: Vijay Mohan Raj.