Mentor Dravid turns around Delhi Daredevils

 

Barring one bad day in office, the Daredevils have enjoyed a near perfect campaign so far in the tournament. After the loss to Kolkata Knight Riders by nine wickets in their tournament-opener, the Daredevils bounced back strongly.
 

Sanju Samson has been firing all cylinders this season (AFP Photo)

They comfortably beat Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians in their next three games to be placed third in the eight-team standings with six points from four games.

"Obviously, it's a very young and fresh team. We have lots of youngsters in the team so a mentor like Rahul sir motivates us to perform. It's good to see that we all are doing well under him," star batsman Sanju Samson said on the eve of their match against Gujarat Lions.

In the last match against defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Feroze Shah Kotla here, it was young Samson (60) and JP Duminy (49 not out) who rose to the occasion to take the Daredevils to a challenging 164 for four, a total which they defended by 10 runs.

"I have been playing IPL for the last three years and I think I am getting better as a cricketer every year. Mostly I take my learning and experience from Rahul sir. It's all about learning. It's all about what your team needs from you. If they send me down the order I have to finish the games and if they send me up the order I will have to build the innings and set stage for my team," the young cricketer from Kerala said about his own role in the Daredevils outfit.