beetle Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 Bangalore: Controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen, whose England career came to an abrupt end after a disastrous Ashes campaign earlier this month, on Thursday expressed desire to lead the Delhi Daredevils in the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League. Pietersen was bought for a whopping Rs 9 crore (USD 1.5 million) by the Delhi franchise on the opening day of the IPL players` auction here yesterday, using its `Rights to Match` card. "I would like to be in a leadership role in some way, whether it is captaincy or helping out the leader and the youngsters in the team," Pietersen told the presenter of the players` auction broadcaster via a telephonic conversation. Pietersen said he was thrilled to be back with the Delhi Daredevils, which he termed as his `family`. "It feels great to be with the Delhi family. We have got a strong team this time around. It is now a matter of gelling together as a unit," said Pietersen. Pietersen was a part of the Daredevils team last season as well. Asked if he felt that he has been loved more in India after what happened back home, Pietersen replied, "I don`t know. It feels that way at the moment." The 33-year-old flamboyant batsman said he was looking forward to work with the former India coach Gary Kirsten. "Gary has an outstanding cricketing brain. He is one of the coaches I wanted to work with. Hopefully, we will have a great run under him," said Pietersen. PTI http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/ipl-7-auction/i-would-like-to-captain-delhi-daredevils-pietersen_780455.html
Switchblade Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 Kevin Pietersen’s captaincy ambitions set to be fulfilled at Delhi Daredevils http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/kevin-pietersens-captaincy-ambitions-set-to-be-fulfilled-at-delhi-daredevils/ First a Rs 9 crore contract and now, Kevin Pietersen is set to become Delhi Daredevils captain for IPL 7. The franchise bought him back on Wednesday after utilising their Rights to Match card and they want to build their team around the England middle-order batsman whose international cricket career was abruptly cut short by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following the Ashes debacle. “Yes, he (Pietersen) will be the captain. Basically, it was between Pietersen and Dinesh Karthik but the former has more international experience and is a huge influence on the youngsters. He was informally our leader in 2102, nurturing young talents and was excellent at that. He couldn’t play last year because of an injury but he understands our system,” a team insider told The Indian Express. “Karthik, too, has leadership qualities and will be a part of the think-tank as we want to form a leadership group. He will complement Pietersen well,” he added. The official reaction from the team, however, is a little guarded but there’s enough indication that Pietersen would be given the charge. “He’s certainly in the mix (to become the captain),” said bowling coach Eric Simons. Franchise CEO Hemant Dua was effusive in his praise. “Pietersen has always been fantastic with us. I don’t know what exactly happened between him and the ECB. Nor do I care. He has always been a positive influence in the dressing room, a perfect pro and the right man to help the young players grow into the job. There was an uncertainty over his availability, which was the reason we didn’t retain him. But once he became available, we were always going to buy him back. Captaincy, I would say he definitely has a very big chance,” Dua told this paper. Asked about the Pietersen-Kirsten combination, he said: “Kirsten is a great coach and fantastic man manager, and Pietersen is world-class. We are really looking forward to this combination.” Pietersen was sacked by Paul Downton and company for being a “divisive force” in the dressing room and his alleged non-cooperation with England captain Alastair Cook. The story is completely different in Delhi. “Pietersen played eight matches in 2012. He was exceptional. He was excellent in the dressing-room and colourful off it. We could never miss out on a player of his class,” Delhi team mentor TA Sekhar said. ECB’s pain is Delhi’s gain. :dance:
zakk Posted February 13, 2014 Posted February 13, 2014 he is only deserving candidate in squad :two_thumbs_up:
beetle Posted February 13, 2014 Author Posted February 13, 2014 I hope he takes the time to learn the names this time....they are lesser names to learn this time round.:giggle:
beetle Posted February 13, 2014 Author Posted February 13, 2014 Given the MV-DK equation...this is a safe bet.:--D
Recommended Posts