Revamped Daredevils bank on domestic talent

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2015 form

After managing only single-digit points in the preceding two years, Delhi Daredevils finished with 11 , but still finished second last. Their campaign was a zig-zag pattern of wins and losses, and consequently never found momentum. Despite their inconsistency, they cobbled together five wins, only two fewer than the third-placed team, in what was one of Daredevils' better seasons in recent memory.

Big Picture

Think of any top IPL franchise and you instantly have a spectacular reel of associative images unspooling in your mind. But think Delhi Daredevils and you struggle to zoom in on any iconic player or memorable match-play that you can identify with the team. Unfortunately for Daredevils, their most enduring identity has been the lack of one. Year after year they have modified teams and team kits; even their theme song is beyond recognition. Arbitrary selection, muddled auction strategy and unstable leadership - they have had five different full-time captains since 2008 - have hurt the franchise. To call them underachievers would be to miss the point, for expectations of them have diminished considerably over the last three years. So what have they done to get things back on track?

Daredevils started afresh once again by removing Gary Kirsten as head coach and releasing 11 players. They then took what seemed like bizarre decisions at the auction table, steadfastly ignoring the big names and splurging money on relatively less-heralded players like Pawan Negi (INR 8.5 crore), Sanju Samson (4.2 crore) and Karun Nair (4 crore). Daredevils defended the move by calling it a conscious, "strategic shift" towards youngsters, who they felt were hungrier than established stars.

Their biggest coup, however, was signing a stellar backroom crew. That the Daredevils squad appears to be modelled on the Rajasthan Royals template - Chris Morris, Samson and Nair are direct imports - is no coincidence. With Rahul Dravid as mentor, Paddy Upton as head coach and Zubin Bharucha as technical director - all formerly with Royals - their strategy of research-backed acquisition of young, lesser-known talent has been replicated. It remains to be seen how effective the strategy is, though, because Royals qualified for the playoffs only twice - in 2013 and 2015 - after their victory in 2008. Dravid's successful coaching stints with India A and India U-19 has helped him track the progress of many promising youngsters, and three members of the side that made the final of the Under-19 World Cup - Rishabh Pant (1.9 crore), Mahipal Lomror and Khaleel Ahmed - figure in the Daredevils roster.

Burning question

Daredevils were among the more formidable sides in the first few years of the IPL, even making the semi-finals in the first two editions, before their performances began to taper off. They last qualified for the playoffs in 2012, so finishing in the top four will be their priority before gunning for gold. How Daredevils ensure consistency and stability in selection while managing a large squad of 24 players will be critical to their success.

The go-to men

In Zaheer Khan, Daredevils have a captain who successfully mentored bowling groups during his 14-year career as India's strike bowler. As assured as his expertise is in formulating bowling plans and setting fields, the main challenge for Zaheer, 37, would be to operate at optimum levels, both as bowler and captain, for a month and a half.

While JP Duminy's experience in the middle order will be invaluable, Daredevils will look to Shreyas Iyer, who triggered the team's youth-first push in the first place, Sanju Samson, and the in-form Quinton de Kock to set the game up at the top of the order.

Bargain buy

Having made five of the 13 most expensive purchases at the 2016 auction, Daredevils have not got too many players cheap. However, in retrospect, they might have got a good deal by acquiring the services of Carlos Brathwaite for INR 4.2 crore. Who knows what bids he would have attracted had the auction happened after his six-hitting fest in the World T20 final?

Availability

Australia fast bowler Joel Paris has been ruled out due to a shin injury. The rest are available for the duration of the tournament.

Coaches

Rahul Dravid (mentor), Paddy Upton (head coach), Zubin Bharucha (technical director), Sridharan Sriram and Praveen Amre (batting coaches)

Quote

"We wanted young, fearless cricketers who we could work on. We have got Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Pawan Negi, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, and it's an advantage that they have all worked with Rahul Dravid, who knows the Indian boys very well. We are looking forward to changing the fortunes of Delhi with the help of the new coaching staff and some talented youngsters."

TA Sekar, director, GMR Sports, explains why Daredevils plumped for young Indian talent ahead of seasoned superstars.