Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha feels that the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have enough bench strength to replace Australian batsman David Warner, who is on the verge of facing a lengthy ban from Cricket Australia for his role in the ball tampering fiasco. SRH mentor VVS Laxman has clarified that they are waiting for Cricket Australia’s decision on Warner, who was forced to give up his role of Australia’s vice-captain for the last two days of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

According to reports, Warner is expected to be banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia, which is currently investigating the ball-tampering issue that has fallen the game into crisis. While talking to the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club, Saha said, “There has been no ultimate decision as yet. Our team is strong enough to replace Warner. The team was decided based on the captain. Maybe initially we will get affected but with the reserve that we have, it won’t impact much.”

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Saha reckons that SRH has a solid middle-order to meet the challenge in case Warner is banned after the final verdict of the ball-tampering row. He said, “We have a good middle order with the likes of Kane Williamson, Deepak Hooda, and Manish Pandey. If we get a good start from the openers (Warner and Dhawan), the pressure on the middle order will be less. We will definitely have a very strong side if Warner remains in the team. But we have enough replacements to make a good side, if not 100 percent but closer to that. We can try and fill in the void.”

Smith, who choreographed the ball tampering, was banned for one Test and fined his entire match fee by ICC, while his teammate Cameron Bancroft, who was caught red-handed while tampering with the ball on Saturday, was fined of 75 percent of his match fee and handed three demerit points. Smith has already stepped down as captain of his IPL side Rajasthan Royals (RR).

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Describing the apt replacement of Warner’s replacement as captain, Wridhiman said, “It will be a team management decision, whoever be the captain the goal will be to win for SRH. We will have to go by the team management’s decision. Ultimately the aim will be to win.”

When asked about his views on the ball-tampering controversy, Saha replied, “I don’t think only two people were involved in this. I’m sure the whole team should be held responsible. It’s about playing clean cricket and not trying to tamper with the ball and then get a batsman out.”