One thing I like about Cummins is he is bit like MS Dhoni: Tom Moody

In an electrifying clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Pat Cummins steered Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to a remarkable triumph over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by a convincing margin of six wickets, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Tom Moody, the former Australian cricketer, and SRH coach, couldn't contain his admiration for Cummins' unorthodox captaincy tactics.

Known predominantly for his bowling prowess in Test and ODI cricket, Cummins showcased his leadership acumen in the IPL 2024 encounter, surprising many with his strategic decisions. Moody drew parallels between Cummins' approach and that of the legendary MS Dhoni.

“The one thing I like about Cummins is he is a bit like MS Dhoni. He is prepared to make a decision that most people don’t think about but makes you feel like ‘Why didn’t I think about that?,” Moody told ESPNcricinfo.

Abhishek Sharma over, It was quite an odd decision: Moody

What stood out was Cummins' decision to entrust Abhishek Sharma with the ball instead of the experienced campaigner Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the outset. Moody lauded Cummins for his innovative thinking, praising his penchant for unconventional choices that often yield unexpected outcomes.

"Like the Abhishek Sharma over. It was quite an odd decision when you look at the other options they could have gone with. You have arguably the best new ball bowler in IPL history in Bhuvneshwar Kumar. You have got an off-spinner against left-handers. You think Markram would be another one. There was plenty of other ways he could have gone. But he committed to that and it looked like from the get go, he convinced himself that it was the right decision,” he added," he added.

Also Read: 'Special thanks to my dad, Yuvi paaji and Brian Lara' - Abhishek Sharma after match-winning knock against CSK

Following this victory, SRH ascended to fifth place in the IPL 2024 points table, accumulating four points and showcasing an impressive net run rate of +0.409, primarily driven by their strong showings in home fixtures. As they prepare to take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 9 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh, all eyes will be on Cummins and his innovative captaincy to guide SRH to further success in the tournament.