On the day 2 open their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019  , Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is all set to lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 24 (Sunday). SRH have been smart and bold in their decision-making ever since they entered the IPL fore in 2013. They have, time and again, surprised many with their smart shopping in the auctions and did the same in the last one in December 2018. In this regard, SRH were clever in buying England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow. Head coach Tom Moody revealed the strategy behind the addition of Bairstow.

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Tom Moody told on the eve of SRH's opener, "Obviously, picking Johnny Bairstow up in the auction was an important strategy for us because we wanted an overseas player who could give us the option to keep wickets. And having an impact player like Johnny Bairstow, who is in the similar mould as of Jos Buttler, just gives us that option and flexibility with our overseas combinations to have that keeping role nailed down and have an impact player at the same time."

The first match of IPL 2019 today, Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Bairstow’s strike rate in T20Is stands at 130.20 with 3 half-centuries. He will be eager to replicate the same in SRH jersey in his maiden IPL season. The Englishman has a like-for-like replacement as well in form of New Zealand opener Martin Guptill in case he succumbs to the pressure of the tournament.

SRH finished as runners-up in the last edition of the IPL. This time they are looking forward to lift up the trophy.