Team Preview - Delhi Daredevils

Header: Performance in IPL 2008

Delhi Daredevils began their IPL campaign on a good note by winning four of their first five matches. With the exception of Daniel Vettori, the Delhi team could utilize the services of all its international players through out the season. The team mainly banked on its powerful opening duo of Gambhir and Sehwag. They were well complemented by the ever reliable McGrath and the lanky Sri Lankan Maharoof in the bowling department.

However, the team had a downslide in the latter part of the tournament when they lost 5 of the remaining 9 matches in the round robin stage with one match against the Kolkata team washed out.

The Delhi side scraped through to the semi finals only to be demolished by the Warne led Rajasthan side. The Daredevils lost the semi finals by 105 runs.

Overall, Delhi looked a good team during 2008 but could not maintain their momentum during the second half.

Who's in, who's out

Who's in?

The Australian trio of David Warner, Dirk Nannes and Andrew McDonald were signed by the Delhi management after their successful T20 stints with New South Wales and Victoria.

The left handed pacer Ashish Nehra was the only domestic inclusion for the 2009 season with Delhi swapping the pacer for Shikhar Dhawan with Mumbai.

The Daredevils got their share of English players when they signed Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah, both for USD 275,000.

Who's out?

Mohammed Asif and Shoaib Malik will not be available for the Daredevils this season.

Players to watch out for

Virender Sehwag: The Nawab of Najafgarh has instilled fear amongst bowlers around the world with his swashbuckling batting. A good batting display during the recently concluded ODI series in New Zealand would increase Sehwag's confidence and the Delhi team would bank on its captain for explosive starts.

Gautam Gambhir: Gambhir has been a revelation during the past year. He has acted as the perfect foil for his opening partner Sehwag and together they have earned a reputation as the best opening pair in the recent times. Sturdy and solid batting displays during the New Zealand series earned him the title 'The Second Wall'. Gambhir would look at extending his good run in the second edition of IPL.

Glenn McGrath: Mcgrath had a tumultuous time surrounding his wife's death. With two children to look after and a cancer foundation started by his wife now in his care, he continued his battles. The fighter that he is, McGrath extensively worked on his fitness and is ready for the IPL show. Every batsman's nightmare, Mcgrath's unnerving line and length would hinder any team's chances against Delhi.

Farveez Maharoof: Sri Lankan cricketers have always been a great pick for the IPL teams. After being the second-highest wicket taker for Delhi during their first IPL season, Maharoof would be seen as the ideal pace partner to McGrath during Asif's absence. Maharoof is also a useful lower order batsman.

Trivia

Glenn McGrath was one of the only two bowlers to bowl two maiden overs in a match.

McGrath bowled the first wicket maiden over in the IPL in their first game against the Rajashthan Royals.

Tejaswi Yadav, son of Indian railway minister Laloo Yadav, was a member of the Daredevils team. However, he did not play a single match.

Pradeep Sangwan (Delhi) was the youngest player of the IPL. The left-arm pacer was all of 17 years and 179 days when he made his IPL debut against Chennai.

Amit Mishra took 5 for 17 against the Deccan Chargers - the best bowling performance by a spin bowler in the IPL. 

Amit Mishra was one of the three bowlers to take a hat-trick in the IPL.

David Warner, who was snapped up by Delhi, became the first Australian since 1877 to represent his country without having played a first class game.

Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag scored the most number of runs for the first wicket in the IPL 2008.

Current Squad

Virender Sehwag, Owais Shah (ENG), David Warner (AUS), Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary, Andrew McDonald (AUS), Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL), Paul Collingwood (ENG), Farveez Maharoof (SL), Rajat Bhatia, Mithun Manhas, AB de Villiers (RSA), Dinesh Karthik, Glenn McGrath (AUS), Daniel Vettori (NZ), Dirk Nannes (AUS), Vijaykumar Yo Mahesh, Ashish Nehra, Amit Mishra, Pradeep Sangwan

Coaches

Head Coach: Greg Shipperd (AUS)

Assistant Coach: David Saker (AUS)