Tom Moody is back with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the franchise he coached from its inception in 2013 to 2019. Moody, however, will now join as the director of cricket while Trevor Bayliss - who replaced Moody as head coach for IPL 2020 - continues in his role.
The Sunrisers reached the IPL playoffs in five years out of the seven Moody was in charge, including their only title win in 2016 and a runners up finish in 2018. They reached the playoffs in 2020 too, losing to Delhi Capitals in the second Qualifier, making it five consecutive years of progressing beyond the league stage.
Announcement @TomMoodyCricket has been appointed as the Director of Cricket for SunRisers Hyderabad.#OrangeArmy #KeepRising pic.twitter.com/EGHJNExTTm
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) December 15, 2020
Moody, now 55, moved into coaching after retiring as a player in 2001. He had considerable success as a player, particularly in ODIs where he was part of two World Cup winning teams in 1987 and 1999 with Australia. Among his various coaching stints, he was the head coach of Sri Lanka when they reached the 2007 World Cup final, and has enjoyed success with English and Australian domestic sides, besides being among the most sought after coaches in T20 leagues around the world with stints in the CPL and PSL.
In the IPL, he coached Kings XI Punjab from 2008 to 2010, but found sustained success with the Sunrisers, beginning with a playoff appearance in their first year in 2013. They finished sixth in 2014 and 2015, but since the title run in 2016, have consistently been among the best sides in the tournament.