Rob on the Road
Sehwag's dream innings
We have had an up and down week and there have been a lot of mixed emotions in the camp
Robbie Frylinck
25-Feb-2013
We have had an up and down week and there have been a lot of mixed emotions in the camp. It started with a truly world-class innings by Virender Sehwag and a fantastic victory over Deccan Chargers. Watching Viru’s innings was like having a dream. He played shots most people can only imagine themselves playing. It was really special.
We knew that we would have to win all of our last five games remain in contention for a spot in the top four but all our hopes were shattered by our loss to Mumbai. The match was a great spectacle at the Wankhede. It’s an amazing stadium and the atmosphere was electric. It was the loudest crowd I had ever experienced. Mumbai are a mighty side and it’s a pity we couldn’t overcome them. Unfortunately, that’s cricket. It has been a disappointing IPL4 with all the talent in the squad but in the bigger scheme of things we are gelling very well as a team so the future looks good.
We’ve had some great times off the field though. We opened a hotel sports facility in Hyderabad which was quite fun and we also visited our owner GMR's charity initiative. The charity aims to help underprivileged men, women and children. It has a school for the children and gives them a fantastic opportunity to get a good education.
Full postDelhi's resurgence and a maiden hole in one
It’s been a week since we last spoke and how the wheel has turned since then
Robbie Frylinck
25-Feb-2013
It’s been a week since we last spoke and how the wheel has turned since then. Last Tuesday, we went down to the Deccan Chargers at home. The guys took the loss to heart and it really hurt us. We were all so eager and determined to win and have things go our way.
And then on Saturday it happened. What a fantastic game of cricket we played against the Kings XI Punjab. It was awesome to be a part of and I think it’s the start of the Daredevils climb up the points ladder. The crowd was so involved and the atmosphere was electric at the Kotla. It was what the team really needed. It restored a lot of faith in the boys and got our campaign back on track.
Personally, I am yet to get a game but that doesn’t mean I don’t share in everyone’s success. It is a very difficult concept to deal with not being picked to play but you can’t let it get you down. We all know that only four internationals can play and we accept that. There’s no need for sympathy.
Full postOf victory and celebrations
I’m a much more chipper cricketer than I was a few days ago when we last spoke and I’m sure you know why
Robbie Frylinck
25-Feb-2013
I’m a much more chipper cricketer than I was a few days ago when we last spoke and I’m sure you know why. We had a slippery start to our campaign with two losses and after that we were drilled with a few days of intense training and regrouping ahead of the trip to Navi Mumbai to play the Pune Warriors. It was a two hour flight and an hour’s drive to the stadium and even though it was more travel than I am used to, it was well worth it.
Wow! Was it a fantastic game or what? Each and every member of the squad played their part in the victory, be it the opening bowler, like Ashok Dinda, the opening batsmen, David Warner and Viru, the fielders, who showed great commitment and even me – who was carrying the refreshments for the boys. We won by three wickets and it really lifted our spirits.
A few of the boys celebrated afterwards at a party hosted by our hotel but the rest of the quieter ones, including me, decided to catch up on sleep, because we had an early flight back to Delhi. I’m still getting used to travel in India and the flight was very bumpy with lots of turbulence.
Full postOf Bollywood moves, and avoiding curries
The last time we spoke we were gearing up for our first match, now we are two matches in and you know what happened in both of them
Robbie Frylinck
25-Feb-2013
The last time we spoke we were gearing up for our first match, now we are two matches in and you know what happened in both of them. The first loss, to the Mumbai Indians was really demoralising but the boys weren’t too despondent because a certain world-class bowler called Lasith Malinga was on song.
We went to Jaipur very confident and positive that we would put in a good performance against the Rajasthan Royals and even though we got beaten it was a fantastic effort by the boys. Of course, we were upset and hurt at another loss but we know it’s still early days and cricket is a wonderful game where things can turn at the drop of a hat.
After the game, the boys had a few cold drinks and reflected on what happened. By the time we flew back to Delhi, at 8am yesterday, everyone was back to their usual selves. We have great team spirit and are a very tight-knit unit. We know it’s only a matter of time before we all click on the day.
Full postCurries, Playstation wars and cricket fever
South Africa's Robert Frylinck will be playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL this season and will be writing about his experiences both on and off the field this season through the course of the seven weeks of the tournament.
Robbie Frylinck
25-Feb-2013
South Africa's Robert Frylinck will be playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL this season and will be writing about his experiences both on and off the field this season through the course of the seven weeks of the tournament.
This is my first visit to India and I am really excited to be here and enjoying it so far. Like so many other domestic players, the Champions League Twenty20 was what got me got noticed. Amrit Mathur, the chief executive of Delhi, was at the Wanderers for some of the matches I played in, was impressed with what he saw and that lead to me being signed on.
I arrived last Wednesday – March 30 – and one of the first things I was able to see was the fever around the World Cup final on Saturday. Our whole squad went to the market for dinner and it was just chaos – in a good way. It felt like there were a million people cramming into small little restaurants and looking for any TV they could find. It was incredible.
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