File Image of David Warner, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad | Photo Credit: AP, File Image

After Cricket Australia (CA) announced its decision to ban David Warner and Steve Smith for one year each, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also barred the duo from participating in the Indian Premier League season 11, a decision that gave their franchises – Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals – a big headache just days ahead of the start of the new campaign. While the Royals are yet to make a move into the market in search for a replacement, the Sunrisers have reportedly reached out to Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Perera as Warner's replacement.

A Sri Lankan journalist revealed the news of SRH approaching Perera after IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla announced the management's decision to not allow the tainted Aussie duo participate in the upcoming IPL season. The journalist, Azzam Ameen, claimed that an approach was made for Perera through Twitter but a deal is yet to be finalised.

“IPL team SunRisers Hyderabad has approached Kusal Janith Perera as a possible replacement for Banned David Warner, deal yet to be finalised,” Azzam tweeted.

IPL team SunRisers Hyderabad has approached Kusal Janith Perera as a possible replacement for Banned David Warner, deal yet to be finalised — Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) March 28, 2018

A report in Cricket Age also quoted an SRH official confirming of the franchise's approach for the Lankan cricketer.

"Yes We have approached Kusal Perera as a replacement for Warner. Like Warner, he is also a devastating batsman and our analyst informed us that he has been in tremendous form in last few months. Though nothing has finalized as yet, we are hopeful Perera will join our squad," a Sunrisers Hyderabad official told Cricket Age.

"They (Cricket Australia) have banned two players and we are also barring these two players from this year's IPL," Rajeev Shukla told reporters on Wednesday.

When asked as to why the decision to bar Smith and Warner from IPL took so long, Shukla said that the management wanted to take the final call after the completion of Cricket Australia's investigation.

"We wanted everything in our own hands. First, we waited for ICC's decision, after that Cricket Australia and then we decided on the matter. We have decided to bar them from this season. The replacements will be made available to the two teams. We did not take any decision in haste, it was a well thought out decision," he said.

While Rajasthan have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as the skipper for the 2018 season, Hyderabad are yet to reveal the name of their captain for the new season after Warner decided to step down, with Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson being touted as the most likely successors of the Aussie opener.

Both Smith and Warner have been handed a one-year suspension each, while Cameron Bancroft faces a ban of 9 months.



