Ironical as it may sound, Virender Sehwag will find it difficult to ‘feel' at home with Delhi Daredevils.
None of his peers from the Delhi Ranji Trophy team will be around in the dressing room.
Even the local fans will find it tough to relate to the team that has only three young ‘catchment players' from the Capital in the squad of 29.
Unlike the past mix of players from Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England and the Netherlands in the past, this season the Daredevils owners chose to form the overseas flavour from just two countries.
Six Australians — comprising livewire David Warner, James Hopes, Aaron Finch, Mathew Wade, Andrew McDonald and Travis Birt — along with four South Africans — Morne Morkel, Roelof van der Merwe, Colin Ingram and Robert Frylinck — complete Daredevils shopping list
Specialists
The presence of these accomplished T20 specialists — not all of them are known to the Indian fans — form the muscles of the Daredevils.
It remains to be seen how well discarded medium-pacers Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Avishkar Salvi and Ashok Dinda play their designated roles.
The new-look Daredevils team clearly lacks the versatility and aura of the previous combination. It is also natural for the members to take time to find their comfort zone.
As is his wont, Sehwag can be expected to keep his brief clear and simple.
Much will also depend on how determined and focused Sehwag is in shepherding the team to the business end of the competition.
Daredevils opens its campaign at home against a proven Mumbai Indians, runner-up of the last edition.
Given Daredevils' combination, a good start will be a ‘bonus' since it holds the promise of doing better once settled.
On the brighter side, irrespective of the diminished stature of Daredevils, the fans of the dashing opener would not be found wanting.
