Dubai: Delhi Daredevils captain Zaheer Khan is planning to use his team’s pace battery to telling effect in the Indian Premier League (IPL) X, set to begin in Hyderabad on Wednesday. The arrival of tearaway fast bowlers: Pat Cummins of Australia and Kagiso Rabada of South Africa have boosted the team morale ahead of the tournament.
Arguably the best left-arm paceman ever produced by India, Zaheer is currently busy with renowned coach T.A. Sekar, part of the team’s think tank as Director of GMR Sports, to work out strategies to ensure that their team is a force to reckon with. This team is owned by GMR Group, which is an infrastructural company.
“To have the likes of Pat (Cummins) and Kagiso (Rabada) adds teeth to our bowling attack. They are two of the best in the world. It will be great fun to interact and share ideas. That is the beauty of IPL. Also we have some other talented players, all this always makes my job as a captain very enjoyable,” Zaheer told the media.
“It is an absolute thrill to be involved with a fantastic franchise like Delhi Daredevils,” Cummins said soon after being signed up for Daredevils.
Only 23 years old, Cummins had picked up four wickets in the last Test match against India at Dharmasala and is already talked about to become the future leader of Australia’s pace attack.
Rabada, 21, is already talked about as one of the most promising paceman with a haul of 71 wickets from 17 Test matches. He regularly bowls at 140-150kph range. A fast improving Rabada even remarked: “I learnt a lot from my trip to India in 2015. I am looking forward to my first stint in the IPL.”
Cummins, meanwhile, is looking forward to bowl alongside Zaheer. “I have enjoyed bowling in India and hope to gain some more by bowling alongside the likes of Zak (Zaheer), Kagiso and Mohammad Shami,” said Cummins.
Sekar, who represents the team owners said: “We have always invested in youngsters. It is always good to see them come good. Some have grown in stature over the last few years when they have been handed responsibilities. It is great to see their growth.”
Known for his abilities to spot talent as a coach while at the MRF Pace Foundation, Sekar is hoping that his youngsters will deliver. Zaheer, commenting on his team said: “We have the perfect balance of youth and experience and we are quietly confident.”
Delhi team CEO Hemant Dua summed up the spirit of the team: “We are confident in this 10th edition of IPL, Daredevils will thrill their fans with some awesome cricket and make them chant DilDilliHai!.” Delhi Daredevils start their campaign in their first match on April 8 at Bengaluru against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
