KEY MEMBER: Glenn McGrath has both the acumen and the inspiring presence that could serve Delhi Daredevils’ cause in a big way in the second edition of the Indian Premier League.
NEW DELHI: It is a nightmare that rattles the bowlers these days. For fans, they conjure visions of some exciting batsmanship in all forms of the game. The most destructive opening pair in today’s cricket leads Delhi Daredevils’ challenge as a domestic competition travels overseas.
Sehwag and Gambhir have often traversed successfully when the terrain has been most treacherous and the duo has pledged a run feast in the second edition of the Indian Premier League. They have set goals that can be attained only by outshining each other at the crease.
Much was expected in IPL-1 when Daredevils swept four of its first five matches, including three away encounters. And then it slipped. Four defeats in a row, including one at home, was a setback to a side that had come to believe it had the arsenal to win the war. The failure of Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Malik proved a severe handicap.
But Daredevils clawed back into the reckoning and qualified to meet Rajasthan Royals in the semifinals where it was blasted by Shane Watson, who made runs and took wickets too. Daredevils, a favourite to become champion, finished fourth.
An inconsistent middle order, comprising Manoj Tiwary, Dinesh Karthik, Abraham de Villiers and T. Dilshan was a worry in the first IPL, but not this time. They are in fine form now. The presence of Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood and David Warner improves the options. The flexibility factor in the batting line-up is Daredevils’ strength.
With the crafty Glenn McGrath, who can still bowl the best four overs against any opposition, and the world’s finest left-arm spinner in Daniel Vettori, Daredevils can boast of a lethal attack, what with Ashish Nehra bolstering it, shifting from Mumbai Indians.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra brings a refreshing variety even as seamers Farveez Maharoof, Pradeep Sangwan, Avishkar Salvi and V. Yomahesh wait in the wings.
Coach T.A. Sekar reminds you of the presence of Umesh Yadav, a young fast bowler from Nagpur, not to forget crisis man Rajat Bhatia. Delhi veteran Mithun Manhas too “can be trusted to excel.”
A compact combination with some explosive talent, Daredevils, for many reasons, would be the team to beat in this edition. There are some acknowledged performers with a reputation to swing the matches with their individual brilliance but as Sehwag observed, Daredevils will rely on its “collective strength.”
Oppositions better watch out. Sehwag and Gambhir are coming!
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