Sunrisers Hyderabad finally got the taste of defeat against Kings XI Punjab. After setting the stage for three consecutive wins, their bowling department leaked too many runs in the fourth game which eventually cost them the match.

However, SRH’s bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan seems to be very pleased with the squad the Hyderabad-based franchise has picked this year. The Sri Lankan great expressed his contentment with the team in an interview with India Today.

“We got the Indian players we needed and Shakib [Al Hasan] is also from the sub-continent,” said Muralitharan. “When the auction started, we wanted a very good spin (attack). Our main aim was to get Rashid Khan and Shakib Al Hasan first. So, I think we can cover the most in the spin department.

“We’ve got the best squad. It’s a balanced squad. We’ve five Indian fast-bowlers, two great spinners, two left-armers as well. We’ve gotten a lot of Indian batsmen this time, we didn’t have that back when we were the champions.”

Muralitharan lauded Shakib and said the Bangladesh limited-overs skipper is underrated and also explained his reasons for saying so. According to him, the all-rounder deserves more credit for what he has done in his career so far.

“Shakib doesn’t depend on the spin, he depends on variation. He’s a very different kind of left-arm bowler because you can’t see another left-arm bowler like him in the world cricket. He is very underrated by world cricket because he should be given more credit for what he has done for his country,” said the 46-year-old.

“The players go for a lot of money in IPL and when you see it, a caliber of his player getting that price is why I said he is underrated,” he explained.

The Lankan spin legend appreciated Shakib’s ability to bowl at every stage of a game. He also considers that the southpaw will be a valuable player for SRH.

“He didn’t play much for Kolkata last year. We are using him this year because we think he’ll be a very valuable player for us.

“Shakib has been wonderful. I’ve played against him. He is a very good batsman as well, a top-order batsman and a top-class spinner. You won’t get many all-rounders in the world like him because he can bowl in the powerplay, he can bowl in the death, he can bowl in the middle and that’s the class he has,” he said.

Bangladesh ace all-rounder played for Kolkata Knight Riders for seven years. Then he was roped in by the Sunrisers. He seems to be satisfied with the squad and how things have been going with his new side.

“It has been going great so far. We have a very good bowling attack. Actually, we are an all-round team. We have a good set of fast-bowlers and spinners.

“We’ve got a very good fielding side as well. We missed one or two opportunities but that happens. Overall, if you look at our side, our fielding has been terrific. That’s where we are way ahead than the other teams and that’s been our feature.”

“Whenever I play for a team, my obvious goal is to contribute to the team and that’s how it’s been throughout my life and that’s what I want to keep doing. I love this game and I play it, I don’t look at the other side, like who is talking about me or who is not and what position I am in. I’m loving every moment of it and I just want to keep on enjoying,” Shakib replied when asked if he sees himself as an underrated player.