Dhawan emerges as top contender for SRH captaincy

Ronchi had a superb run in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League, scoring 435 runs in 11 matches. He also scored a blistering fifty in the final to guide his team Islamabad United to victory.

As far as Warner’s replacement is concerned, New Zealand's Luke Ronchi looks a probable candidate.

The other possible candidate could be Kiwi Kane Williamson but he might not be a certainty in the playing XI.

The 32-year-old had earlier led the erstwhile Deccan Chargers and later Sunrisers Hyderabad during earlier seasons.

According to sources, Indian swashbuckling left-hand batsman Shikhar Dhawan is leading the race to be the new Sunrisers Hyderabad captain.

Dhawan being a certainty in the XI and the senior-most player in the set-up is likely to lead the side.

But, Surnrisers, on the other hand, are in a fix. They are yet to decide on their new captain and find a suitable replacement for Warner, who led them to IPL glory in 2016.

Rajasthan Royals seem to be in the better place having already named India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane as their new skipper.

Now, the franchises have a daunting task of replacing them with players who have the potential to bat and possess leadership skills.

BCCI’s announcement came soon after Cricket Australia’s verdict to ban the players involved for 12 months.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday axed Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad skippers – Steve Smith and David Warner from the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League following their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal during the third Test match in Cape Town.