Delhi Capitals duo Deshpande, Yadav aim to make it big at IPL

One of the favourite moments for any athlete across sports is when they make their debut for any team or in any competition, and for Delhi Capitals’ new duo of Tushar Deshpande and Lalit Yadav, it will be a similar feat when they make their Indian Premier League (IPL) debut this season.

Having been picked up in the IPL auction by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 20 lakhs each, the bowler and batsman are excited for the challenge ahead of them.

Speaking on the back of a nets session at the ICC Academy, Deshpande said: “It is my first ever IPL so it is always special. But for me, what makes it extra special is the fact that I am getting to do the thing I love the most, which is bowling. I am finally bowling after almost six months so it is a different challenge.”

“All the bowlers here are my seniors with prior IPL experience. It is a fantastic opportunity for me because by the time I get to make my debut, I would have got some feedback from them, and hopefully that would help me stay ahead and plan my strategy accordingly during the matches,” added the 25-year-old who hails from Mumbai.

The 23-year-old Yadav, who has played with some of Delhi Capitals’ players before, is also excited to make it big in the upcoming IPL edition slated to be played in the UAE from Sept.19.

“I know some of the players from domestic cricket already — like Ishant bhaiya, Shikhar bhaiya and Rishabh Pant — and now I am getting to know the others too. For a youngster like me, the IPL is a very big opportunity and I am hoping to make the most of it through my performances,” said Yadav who plays for Delhi in domestic cricket.

Yadav considers Delhi Capitals as the team which provides a perfect platform to the youth. He said, “Delhi Capitals is the team known to give a good platform to the youth. We have so many examples already in our team. Our captain Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw and even Rishabh (Pant) were all identified by Delhi. So, it is definitely the perfect opportunity for me, and I aspire to perform and go on to represent India like they have done.”

Head coach Ricky Ponting and his players have credited a positive team atmosphere for their good performances last season, and both Deshpande and Yadav echo the sentiment. While Deshpande said that “having people like Ishant and Rabada help first timers” like him, Yadav considered “everyone very welcoming” and said “the overall team vibe is great”.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals (DC) have unveiled a team’s new-look jersey ahead of the IPL 2020 edition.

The franchise recently signed up with the JSW group, which is also the 50 per cent owner of the Delhi Capitals, as their principal partner, and their logo is displayed at the center of the new look DC kit that was unveiled.

The Delhi Capitals shared the new look team jersey through a video clip which featured Player like Captain Shreyas Iyer, Shikhar Dhawan and many more on Twitter while announcing the JSW group as their principal sponsor.  

Meanwhile, having joined the Delhi Capitals support staff as a bowling coach ahead of the upcoming season, Australia’s Ryan Harris says he’s heard good things about the team and is already looking forward to working with the dynamic bowling attack.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Delhi Capitals. I’ve admired the way that Delhi has played over the last few years. I’ve spent a fair bit of time in the IPL, both playing and as a coach with Punjab. It’s nice to be a part of a big franchise like the Delhi Capitals,” he said.

“There are a few players with whom I have played with and against during my time with Australia and in the IPL, so it was nice to see some familiar faces. It’s going to be nice to sit with them, and most importantly talk to them about their cricket,” added the 40-year-old.