KOLKATA: Having already lost star batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Jesse Ryder to injuries, the Delhi Daredevils (DD) may now miss dashing opener Virender Sehwag, down with a back problem, too in the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) here today.
“Sehwag is down with back spasm and is yet to arrive in the city. He is likely to come today and if and when he comes, we will take a call on playing him for Wednesday’s game,” coach Eric Simons told the media after a practice session at the Eden Gardens here yesterday.
The Delhi side will also have to do without the services of South African pacer Morne Morkel, who is busy playing domestic cricket back home.
Despite the loss of some key players, the Mahela Jayawardene-led side remain unfazed and are banking on youngsters and the domestic players to come good.
“Of course, the unavailability of our key players is a big loss but IPL is all about crisis management.
“The loss of players has provided a massive opportunity to the youngsters and domestic players and we have an exciting bunch of them,” said Simons.
Delhi team management was also pinning hopes on pacer Umesh Yadav and seasoned performer Irfan Pathan, both of whom are in “great form”.
“KKR are a good side and being the defending champions they are confident. But then this is a new season and our players have looked very good at the nets and we are looking forward to transform that on to the field,” added Simons.
Delhi have always had a strong squad in IPL, reaching the semi-finals thrice (2008, 2009, and 2012), but on all occasions Delhi Daredevils have faltered in the end and failed to make it to the finals on all three occasions.
Their worst performance was when they finished last in 2011 winning just four of their 14 matches. The only other time they have failed to be in the top four was when they finished fifth in 2010.
Led by a new commander in Jayawardene, Delhi Daredevils would look to right the wrongs and go the full distance in the tournament’s sixth edition.
The biggest strength of this team is their top batting and bowling line-up.
With batsmen like David Warner, Sehwag and Jayawardene, the Daredevils are capable of taking on any bowling.
With Morne Morkel, Varun Aaron and Yadav in their ranks, Delhi have one of the most fearsome pace battery.
Delhi Daredevils will have to avoid complacency, they have always done well in the group stages but they have been awful in the knockouts.
Kevin Pietersen will be a big miss and if another of the big three gets injured, Delhi will be in a fix. AGENCIES
