Duminy named Delhi Daredevils captain

JP Duminy has been appointed the captain of Delhi Daredevils ahead of the 2015 season. Daredevils were led by Kevin Pietersen last year, but the franchise released him as part of an overhaul which saw them offload 13 players from their 2014 squad.

Duminy was one of the few survivors and was preferred as the leader over star Indian allrounder Yuvraj Singh and  Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews.

Having finished as the last-ranked team in 2014 with just two wins from 14 matches, the franchise sought more balance in the team and finished as the biggest buyer at the players auction in February.

Yuvraj became the most expensive buy of the auction after Daredevils spent Rs 16 crore (approximately $2.67 million). A proven match-winner with a modest captaincy record in the IPL, Yuvraj was seen as the favourite to take over the captaincy but the management felt differently.

According to Hemant Dua, the Daredevils chief executive, Duminy was the "right choice" as he is a "composed individual and well respected by his teammates and peers."

Duminy has always expressed a strong desire to lead a team but does not have much experience in the role except for leading South Africa in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia last year when Faf du Plessis was rested.

According to Dua what worked in Duminy's favour was the familiarity with the team and a good relationship with Daredevils' head coach Gary Kirsten. Duminy has been an integral part of Kirsten's strategy plan for South Africa. It was Kirsten, during his stint as the South Africa coach, who recalled Duminy to replace the injured Mark Boucher during the 2012 England tour. Kirsten has always believed Duminy has the attidue to be both a leader and a match-winner.

Duminy started to understand his potential with Kirsten's guidance. People who have followed South African cricket closely point out Duminy has been part of South African leadership group for a long time now. A popular guy among his teammates, Duminy took over as the president of the influential South African Players' Association.

"JP is the right choice to lead the team for the upcoming season," Kirsten said in a media release. "He has the necessary experience and demeanour to take the team forward. I have seen him progress and mature as a player and leader through the years with the South African national team."

It also did him no harm that Duminy was Daredevils' best batsman last year, his first season with the franchise: 410 runs at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 134. Accepting the leadership role, Duminy  said he was hopeful Daredevils could "turn around the fortunes".

For that to happen, Duminy would need strong support from the senior group of players especially Yuvraj. Dua said it was key to give the freedom to Yuvraj and not burden him with captaincy duties. "We want him to go and enjoy the game rather than be under any sort pressure."