Reports: Kusal Perera rejects the offer to play for SRH in IPL 2018

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been searching for the replacements for their skipper David Warner who was ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was banned by Cricket Australia for a year and was also barred from playing in the T20 tournament for his alleged involvement in the infamous ball-tampering saga. The franchise has appointed Kane Williamson as the captain for the season and had approached Kusal Perera as Warner’s replacement. However, the Sri Lankan has rejected the offer to feature in the cash-rich tournament.

Perera was one of the biggest positives for Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy which was the tri-nation T20 tournament. He has the ability to provide the team great starts during the powerplay overs which he did for his national side. The lanky batsman went unsold this year in the auction but had a great time with the bat for Sri Lanka in the T20Is in Bangladesh and at home.

Why did he reject the offer?

Daniel Alexander, the administrator at Island Cricket in Sri Lanka, confirmed the news on his official Twitter handle that Kusal Perera rejected the offer from Sunrisers Hyderabad. The reason listed for the same is that the cricketer will play in the domestic first-class tournament during the same period in order to earn a place in the Test side. While many would’ve blindly accepted the offer to play in the cash-rich league, the decision from Kusal is a brave one who is concentrating on his international career more.

What next for SRH?

SRH are now in trouble once again as they will have to approach yet another overseas cricketer now soon as the IPL is all set to commence on April 7. They will play their first match against Rajasthan Royals on two days after the league starts on April 9. There is a possibility that the franchise might approach the players who were successful in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Sri Lanka's Kusal Janith Perera has reportedly rejected an IPL offer (Warner replacement) to play domestic first-class tournament to work on Test recall. @KusalJPerera #SriLanka #LKA

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) March 30, 2018

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