It is of course all part of the marketing machine. In theory, at least, a nickname is a team’s calling card — an indication of what to expect. We, the fans, are supposed to identity with our chosen heroes and help ourselves to their ‘official’ merchandise.
There’s plenty to pick from. In the Indian Premier League there are the all-conquering Super Kings, the brave Warriors, the fearless Chargers and the mysterious Knight Riders to name but a few.
Then of course there are the Daredevils. As the name suggests, they must be risk takers — thrill seekers who will stop at nothing to excite and entertain. This is a team guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat and coming back for more.
The Delhi franchise might want to re-think the ‘mission statement.’ Over the last couple of years, the team has been neither daring nor devilish. After a bright start to 2010, they lost four of their last five games to miss the playoffs. The Daredevils were even worse in 2011 with just four wins to finish dead last in the standings.
A new year has heralded a change in fortune. The Daredevils have already won more games in 2012 than they managed in the whole of last season. Their 5-2 record has them among the pacesetters as the regular season approaches the halfway stage.
Virender Sehwag has a new crew and so far it’s working. The Delhi skipper is leading by example and his recent recruits are making an impression. Sehwag is beginning to motor after an indifferent start and back-to-back half-centuries have vaulted him into the higher echelons of the leading scorers.
The team owners have invested heavily in a bid to prevent a repeat of the 2011 fiasco. No expense was spared to sign English star Kevin Pietersen and Sri Lankan veteran Mahela Jayawardene. Thanks to an unbeaten century, Pieterson currently boasts the best batting average in IPL5 and his strike rate stands comparison with the best.
Jayawardene has yet to click. The Sri Lankan captain has only once reached 20 in five knocks — clearly not value for money from a player with such a high price tag. Fatigue may be a factor. He arrived late in Delhi — straight off the plane from scoring centuries in the tied Test series against England and before that led his country in the Asia Cup.
There are more to come. West Indian paceman Andre Russell is waiting in the wings for his chance while Australian opener David Warner will return to India once the Test series concludes in the Caribbean in the next few days. He will rejoin a vibrant squad which is now a force to be reckoned with following its jump from worst to first.
BOOST FOR MUMBAI
The return of Sachin Tendulkar could not come quickly enough for Mumbai. The Indians, perennial contenders in the IPL, have struggled out of the gate due in part to the finger injury which sidelined their star batsman on opening day.
His comeback did not go as planned. Tendulkar shared a half-century opening stand with James Franklin but Mumbai dropped to 3-3 following a last over loss to the Kings Xl Punjab. Nonetheless, I expect his return to revive a team not used to looking up from the wrong end of the table.
It will also be boosted by the imminent arrival of Lasith Malinga. The Sri Lankan strike bowler, who is the League’s all time leading wicket taker, has had treatment on a back injury and is expected back any day. He could be back on the field as soon as Friday’s tilt with the Daredevils.