Sehwag upbeat about Delhi Daredevils chances in IPL Season V

Virender Sehwag, skipper of Delhi Daredevils, has played an active role in bringing in new recruits to the side and feels that his team have it in them to go a long distance in IPL Season V. Sehwag, who himself will be under scanner after he was rested from the Asia Cup, knows that the best way to answer back is to score runs.  He also has the added responsibility of turning around the fortunes of the Delhi Daredevils, who finished dead last in 2011.

Happy with the composition of his team, the Daredevils skipper in an interview to The Times Of India said that his team have got a solid batting line-up that can either set a stiff target for the opposition or chase down any total. “We also have a very competitive fast bowling unit which will be backed by good spinners. And, we have some excellent all-round fielders too. I had asked for some specific players going into the IPL auction and I am happy we managed to get all of them,” said Sehwag, adding that with explosive batsmen like Mahela Jayawardene, Kevin Pietersen, David Warner he has option galore.

He also said that he would never change the way he bats. “That is the way I have played throughout my career. I have already said that I will continue to open the innings this season as well. Someone like a Mahela (Jayawardene) can be given the responsibility of batting through the innings at the other end.”

However Daredevils suffered a big blow one of their prime acquisitions this year, New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor, broke his hand on Monday during the penultimate day’s play of the ongoing New Zealand-South Africa third Test in Wellington.  Ironically, the cruel blow came at the hands of another Daredevils player, Morne Morkel of South Africa. Taylor broke his forearm after being struck by a short delivery from Morkel in the 66th over of the Kiwi innings before retiring hurt on 18. Taylor was immediately taken to the hospital and X-rays confirmed that Taylor had broken the Ulna bone in his forearm.

Meanwhile for Sourav Ganguly, who would be leading Pune Warriors, even nearly four years after he quit playing for India, the desire to stretch an arm, switch it off and stay between sheets continues to be kept on hold, writes Hindustan Times. “I am a believer in morning training and so, I still get up at 7. I am out of the house at 7.30 and by 8, I am at the ground. I train till around 1pm. Then I get back and rest. The biggest difference over the past three years and the 20-odd before that is that I am at home most evenings,” says Ganguly.

“I am very excited about the IPL,” he says. Is it because the Maharaj (also his nickname) still hasn't worn that crown? “That and also because I still enjoy playing. “Unlike people with a lot of other jobs, it's not possible for me to take a three-year sabbatical and return to doing what I like most. I still want to play. I still enjoy hitting a six and I still enjoy the buzz at a cricket ground,” said Ganguly to HT.