Moody to coach Sunrisers Hyderabad

VVS Laxman is team’s mentor-ambassador; Srikkanth is mentor

Days after announcing the new name of the franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad unveiled their team logo and introduced their coach and mentors. Former Australia all-rounder and Sri Lanka coach, Tom Moody, will coach the new-look Hyderabad franchise in IPL 2013. Former India captain, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, has been appointed as the team’s mentor, while Indian batting legend, VVS Laxman, is their mentor-ambassador.

At the logo unveiling ceremony, Moody said, “This is a proud moment for us as we unveil our new name and logo and we are sure that the team will be successful in the forthcoming season of IPL 2013. We are keenly looking forward to it and our game will stand testimony to the competition we will give to other teams.”

Moody was in charge of the Sri Lankan team for two years and was at the helm when they made it to the final of the 2007 ICC World Cup. He also coached Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2008 and 2009.

Srikkanth, who was earlier the brand ambassador of the Chennnai Super Kings, said that he looked forward to a successful first season for the new franchise.

“The brand name ‘Sunrisers’ depicts the crowning glory of a team of dynamic and supersonic players taking the competition to a new height. We look forward to a great deal of success the new name is set to bring in combined with the team’s immense power and fortitude. We wish the team all the luck to put up a splendid show and break a leg,” he said.

While Laxman was unable to attend the ceremony due to a death in the family, he expressed pleasure at being part of the Sunrisers and hoped they prove their worth in the coming season.

“It’s a proud moment for me indeed to be a part of such a dynamic team. With such a charismatic brand name the team comes imbued with a new sense of aspirations and passion. All of us are agog to see the invincible ‘Sunrisers’ prove their mettle in the high-octane cricket field,” Laxman was quoted on the Sunrisers’official website.