Delhi Daredevils has a fascination for big names. Virender Sehwag, A.B. de Villiers, Glenn McGrath, Daniel Vettori, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kevin Pietersen are some leading players who have donned the blue-and-red jersey in the past.
Ahead of the eighth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the franchise has roped in two mega stars — allrounder Yuvraj Singh and medium-pacer Zaheer Khan.
The inclusion of the two may have raised questions about their form and fitness, but the team has backed them solidly with the explanation that their experience will be invaluable for the side.
Yuvraj, 33, has been performing in various domestic competitions, including the North Zone T20 tournament, with decent amount of success. However, the 36-year-old Zaheer has been out of competitive cricket for some time now. It will be interesting to see how they serve DD, which hopes for a massive upswing in its fortunes.
DD, which managed just two wins in the Gulf leg and suffered nine consecutive defeats to finish at the bottom last year, looks a balanced side with a good mix of Indian and overseas players. Under coach Gary Kirsten’s supervision, the focus seems to be on effectiveness.
DD, with all earnestness, will be keen to get its combinations right. With four South African and Australian players each in its ranks, the J-P Duminy-led team may display an attacking brand of cricket.
The absence of enough allrounders had hit the side in the previous edition. The presence of around 10 allrounders, including three proficient wicketkeeper-batsmen in Quinton de Kock, C.M. Gautam and Srikar Bharat, will stand DD in good stead this time.
The pace department features internationals such as Zaheer, Mohammed Shami, Albie Morkel, Angelo Mathews, Jaidev Unadkat, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Gurinder Sandhu apart from young Aussie Marcus Stoinis and 33-year-old rookie Dominic Muthuswami.
DD has also got a few options in spin bowling with Amit Mishra, Imran Tahir, Shahbaz Nadeem, Duminy, Yuvraj, and Jayant Yadav providing good variety.
The side cannot be underestimated in batting too. A dashing Yuvraj, a flexible Duminy and a competent Kedar Jadhav will be key to the team’s strategy. Besides, Mayank Agarwal, Saurabh Tiwary, Manoj Tiwary, Shreyas Iyer and the talented Australian Travis Head offer depth to the line-up.
DD is fortunate to meet the formidable Chennai Super Kings in its opening match on April 9. The tough challenge may serve as a catalyst to bring out the best in Kirsten’s boys.
STAR WATCH
Yuvraj Singh
Bought for a whopping Rs. 16 crore, this charismatic batsman can win any match single-handedly. His left-arm bowling has often proved useful in limited-over affairs.
Mohammed Shami
The current India seamer emerged as one of the most successful bowlers in the World Cup. His cracking form and ability to provide early breakthrough will be a big advantage. Shami will be keen to contribute more for the side after managing seven wickets in 12 matches last year.
Track record
2008: Semifinalist
2009: Semifinalist
2010: Group stage
2011: Group stage
2012: Playoffs
2013: Group stage
2014: Group stage
STRENGTH
Presence of several all-rounders will give it a lot of options
WEAKNESS
It is not a settled side, needs to find the right combination
