IPL 2019: Delhi Daredevils Changes their Name to Delhi Capitals Ahead of the New Season

Delhi Daredevils (DD) have brought a makeover in their outlook for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In a bid to do so, they have changed their name to Delhi Capitals to turn their fortunes for IPL 2019 in the presence of their owners, Parth Jindal, and Kiran Kumar Grandhi.

Meanwhile, speaking about the change in name, the owners admitted that the change in name was done considering the Delhi is the capital of India. Going by the logo, on top parliament sign and tiger (the national animal). The owners also added that they wanted the name to have a meaning to each and everyone from Delhi.

Delhi Daredevils have brought in Sriram Srinath, who was with Sunrisers Hyderabad to run the cricket operations. While former Australian captain Ricky Ponting continues as the coach, Mohammad Kaif has replaced Pravin Amre as his assistant. Amre’s will now work as a talent scouter for the franchise.

Kaif, who will join the season as the assistant coach admitted that this side a promising core and they are looking forward to it.

“I can’t wait to get started. This team has a promising core and loves the game as much as every cricketing fanatic does,” Kaif said.

Ahead of the 2019 IPL auctions, the Delhi Daredevils released their former captain Gautam Gambhir. They had bought at the IPL 2018 auctions, before naming him as the captain. Besides releasing overseas players like Jason Roy, Glenn Maxwell, and Liam Plunkett, they also let go of India pacer Mohammed Shami.

The side boasts of some exceptional young talent in skipper Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, and Rishabh Pant. Delhi have also roped in Shikhar Dhawan, in exchange for Abhishek Sharma, Vijay Shankar, and Shahbaz Nadeem from Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Talking about the retained players, Kiran Grandhi admitted that they wanted to retain the core group of players.

“We tried to keep the core and securing the future (regarding Shaw, Pant and Iyer),” Grandhi said at the press conference. 

BCCI President CK Khanna wished the revamped franchise for the upcoming edition of IPL 2019.

“I wish all the very best to Delhi Capitals. I am sure this will be their best season,” Khanna said.

Delhi Daredevils are yet to win their maiden IPL title despite featuring in all the previous 11 seasons. After finishing at the bottom of the table in IPL 2018, it remains to be seen whether a change in name can bring a change in their fortunes next season.

The auctions of the 2019 edition of the IPL will be on December 18 (Tuesday) at Jaipur.