Icons don't matter, players do " " Hyderabad had picked the best combination of players... They have an advantage of not having an iconic Indian player in their team so they can work better with their team composition RAJEEV



The Hyderabad franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) won Australian ‘keeper-opener Adam Gilchrist after making a $7,00,000 bid for him at the first round of players' auction in Mumbai. Controversy-ridden Australian Andrew Symonds was also bought by Hyderabad for the second-highest price of $1.35 million. So far, the Hyderabad and Chennai franchises have secured the highest bids. Hyderabad's other winning bids were for Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi ($675,000), New Zealander Scott Styris ($175,000), Herschelle Gibbs, South Africa ($5,75,000), Rohit Sharma ($750,000), V.V.S.Laxman ($375,000) and Sri Lankan Chamara Silva ($100,000).

Managing director of Deccan Chronicle Mr P.K. Iyer said that team Hyderabad has appointed V.V.S. Laxman as its captain. "Laxman has put his team before his status. He has done a great job and has always shown true sportsman spirit. We look for- ward to taking the team ahead," he said Vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Mr Rajeev Shukla said, "Hyderabad had picked the best combination of players. They do not just have good performers but big names as well. They have an advantage of not having an iconic Indian player in their team so they can work better with their team composition." Anshuman Gaekwad (Former Team India coach) also shares Shukla's opinion. He feels the theory of having an iconic player is not that important because it is the team management which will work on the best combination and balance for the team. "What's an iconic player? It's just a big name. The absence of an iconic player gives Hyderabad a good chance. With Symonds and Gilchrist roped in, Hyderabad will have a big advantage over the other teams," he says.

Lack of an iconic player is worrying no one. Vivek Jaisimha too says he doesn't understand the concept of an iconic player influencing a team. "I would say we have damn good team. With such powerful batsmen, we will definitely pose a tough fight against the others," says Vivek.

Just goes to show that a winning team does not merely need big names but players who are good performers.