Finding the balance, an enjoyable challenge - TA Sekar

[rkt.india]

Over the past few months, I have enjoyed the challenge of restructuring the Delhi Daredevils squad. Working together with GMR Sports Business Chairman Kiran K Grandhi, a mediumfast bowler in his time, Head Coach Eric Simons, skipper Virender Sehwag and Team Manager Aashish Kapoor, I got down to finding solutions to the problems that left the Delhi Daredevils at the bottom of the table in 2011. Quite evidently, the biggest issue was the middle-order batting where we did not have the experience and the firepower. First, we negotiated with Deccan Chargers to get the explosive Kevin Pietersen on board to add firepower to our middle order. We also made up our minds to bid aggressively to secure Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene. And just before the second trading window, we got New Zealand captain Ross Taylor from Rajasthan Royals. While we were doing this, we also signed up some exciting cricketers from the domestic circuit like Pawan Negi, who bowls good left-arm spin and can hit the cricket ball hard, Manprit Juneja, who became only the fourth Indian to score a double century on first-class debut, Kuldeep Raval who has an impressive ability to hit the ball over long distances. We also scouted around and believe we have unearthed an exciting left-arm pace bowler in Zafir Patel. He featured in one of our practice games and we were impressed by his ability to bowl the yorker and a well-disguised slower one. For a 19-year-old, he has a good repertoire. We hope to groom him as he has enormous potential. Sadly, in the process of restructuring, we had to trade James Hopes, Ashoke Dinda and Andrew McDonald. We do not like to hoard players of DindaÃÔ quality. For someone who has had a great first class season, it would have been a travesty if he did not get to optimum chances to showcase his T20 bowling skills in the coming edition of IPL. With bowlers like Morne Morkel, Umesh Yadav, Irfan Pathan and Varun Aaron, it was tough to visualise Dinda playing more than a handful of games for us. We are sure he will get the opportunity to lead the Pune attack. Of course, we also bought off the contract of Mathew Wade and some Indian players. We realised Wade would be with the Australian team throughout its tour of the West Indies for T20, ODI and Tests. We know our fans are disappointed we let Wade go but we had little choice. In any case, we now have the depth in batting. I am also aware that on the Delhi Daredevils Facebook page and Twitter handle, our steadfast supporters offer us tremendous feedback. Many of them believe that while we have a good fast-medium bowling unit, we do not have a spinner of quality. They are overlooking the presence of Roelof van der Merwe and the talent of our own Vikas Mishra, Shahbaz Nadeem and Negi. The time has come for the unit to come together and deliver the goods. I am confident that our squad of professional cricketers will combine well with the coaching staff to make the dreams of the Delhi Daredevils fans and owners come true. I am sure you will see a dynamic, competitive and efficient team on the pitch at each of our games this season. http://www.delhidaredevils.com/blogs/mentors-musings/enjoyable-challenge/

[rkt.india]

Posted in wrong section, move it to IPL forum.

[MCcricket]

Zafir Patel is the son of Rashid Patel, I think, has played county circuit, am not sure if it is colts or a or b div, he seems to have some pace.T A Shekar says he is very promising we will hopefully see him.

[rkt.india]

He is from Baroda.

[MCcricket]

He is from Baroda.

http://www.delhidaredevils.com/member/zafir-patel/

[vishalvirsingh]

Zafir Patel is the son of Rashid Patel' date=' I think, has played county circuit, am not sure if it is colts or a or b div, he seems to have some pace.T A Shekar says he is very promising we will hopefully see him.[/quote'] i remember rashid patel as a 135K left arm pacer who surprisingly failed in his career............not too sure why.

[1983-2011]

this is zafir patel's photo posted on DD's website full picture is found on Farnworth Cricket Club's website Farnworth Cricket Club is a 140 years old cricket club who participates in Bolton Cricket League based North West England, so does this mean he lives in UK or he just played for them last year. It'd be great if he made it as an NRI who hasnt played county yet if he's lives in UK