Delhi Daredevils have appointed Rahul Dravid as the mentor of team for 2016 Vivo IPL. The franchise also announced South Africa’s Paddy Upton as the head coach and Zubin Bharucha was named technical Director.
Currently Rahul Dravid is associated with India’s under-19 cricket team and in recently concluded U19 world cup, India were runner-up. On his inclusion with Delhi Daredevils, Rahul Dravid said that he was exciting to be a part of support staff for DD and would be looking to face new challenge.
“I am very excited by the challenge of taking Delhi Daredevils on to the next level. I have been impressed by the ambition and energy demonstrated by the team and I look forward to working with a group of players that I believe have what it takes to succeed. Along with the rest of the support staff, I am fully aware of what this franchise means to its supporters and I intend to do everything possible to help build a team that the fans can be proud of,” Dravid said.
Kiran Kumar Grandhi who is the Business Chairman for Delhi Daredevils, has welcomed former Indian legendary batsman in the side as mentor.
He said, “We are privileged to have Rahul joining Delhi Daredevils as a mentor. His deeds as a player are legendary. Now in his post-retirement phase Rahul has taken up the arduous tasks of guiding India A and India Under-19 squads. He has made an instant impact in his new avatar too. We are very lucky to have a player of his stature in our midst. He brings in calm and experience to the dressing room and with a young looking Daredevils squad, he will bring an immediate impact.”
“Paddy has had a successful career as head coach for T20 franchises around the world. This was most visible in the recently concluded Big Bash League, as he guided Sydney Thunder to their maiden title. He has grown in stature since starting as a trainer to being the mental conditioning coach of the Indian squad. Zubin, on the other hand, with his years of technical experience brings in his strategic inputs and an eye for spotting young talent,” Mr. Kiran Gandhi added.
JP Duminy is the captain of Delhi Daredevils in this 9th edition of Indian Premier League.
Squad:
JP Duminy (Captain), Rishabh Pant, Amit Mishra, Sanju Sampson, Christopher Morris, Sam Billings, Mayank Agarwal, Pawan Suyal, Imran Tahir, Naman Ojha, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Chama Milind, Akhil Arvind Herwadkar, Pratyush Singh, Carlos Brathwaite, Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Nathan Coulter Nile, Jayant Yadav, Joel Paris, Mahipal Lomror, Quinton de Kock, Saurabh Tiwary, Mohammad Shami, Pawan Negi, Zaheer Khan, Albie Morkel, Travis Head.