Pietersen and Kirsten can lead Delhi to IPL success
Published:Fans of Delhi have been starved of success ever since the inception of the IPL back in 2008 but in Gary Kirsten and Kevin Pietersen they have a coach and captain intent on changing the Daredevils’ fortunes.
With just two semi-final appearances in six previous editions of the tournament there has been an overhaul of the entire squad as they look to claim a first IPL title.
Additions like Pietersen and his new vice-captain Dinesh Kartik to the squad will breathe new life into a side who have failed to get past the group stage in three of the last four campaigns.
South Africans JP Duminy, Wayne Parnell and Quinton de Kock have all been recruited alongside explosive New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, while James Neesham and Nathan Coulter-Nile boost the side’s all-round ranks.
Manoj and Saurabh Tiwary join Murali Vijay in Delhi’s batting ranks, while Jaydev Unadkat looks a bowler full of promise.
Led by Kirsten, the mastermind behind South Africa’s climb up the ranking in all forms of the game in 2012 and India’s World Cup win in 2011, Delhi cannot be ignored at 7/1 with Ladbrokes.
The ace in the pack though is Pietersen.
The South African-born star is one of the best batsmen in world cricket having been a prolific scorer in all forms of the game for England.
He was Man of the Tournament as his country went on to win the 2010 World Twenty20 and with his sacking from the England team earlier this year, he will have a huge point to prove to his former employers.
The 33-year-old also enjoys playing for Delhi having plundered 305 runs at an average of 61 in just eight matches during the 2012 edition of the tournament.
Injury stopped him competing in last year’s tournament but he still visited the team and showed his captaincy credentials, passing on his vast experience to the youngsters in the squad.
And in partnership with Kirsten, who was a candidate to become England’s new coach, KP could be the man to finally deliver an IPL crown to the Delhi faithful and in turn show England what they are missing.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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