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Zak, Yuvi pin hopes on IPL

Last Updated 31 March 2015, 19:25 IST

Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan had once occupied the pride of place in the Indian cricket team. Both, now, are fighting to be in the reckoning. With the Indian Premier League (IPL) knocking at the door, the two new recruits of Delhi Daredevils hope to regain the lost ground.

Yuvraj, in particular, is coming from a successful domestic season for Punjab. His efforts were rewarded when Daredevils bought him for a whopping Rs 16 crore in the auction in February. The 33-year-old batsman, who last played for India in a T20 match against Sri Lanka in April 2014, said he was in “good shape” and eager to carry his form to the Twenty20 league.

“It's been a couple of hard years for me since I have come back from my treatment (of cancer). I have had a good domestic season so I am hoping to I carry the same form into the IPL.  Hope that things get better from here and I make it back into the team," Yuvraj said during a promotional event where Daikin air-conditioning India Pvt Ltd. was announced the sponsors of the Delhi Daredevils.

Zaheer, who had been plagued by injuries, believed IPL would be the first step towards his comeback. “I have been away from cricket for a while now, so just looking forward to get back. I want to take one step at a time, IPL is the first step. I will see how it goes from here," said the 36-year-old left-arm bowler, who had his last international stint in a Test match against New Zealand in February, 2014.

Both were happy to find themselves in the company of coach Gary Kirsten, who guided India to 2011 World Cup triumph."Gary is a very good coach. We know his working style, and he knows what to expect from us, "said Zaheer. “It had been tough couple of years for Daredevils. There are lot of new faces this time in the team, so hopefully will be able to turn it around for Delhi this season.”

Yuvraj concurred. "It will be great  to do well as a unit. Delhi had three incredible seasons, so hope we can repeat it and take it forward,” he said.

South African Albie Morkel was also excited to have his maiden stint with the Daredevils, who will be led by his compatriot Jean-Paul Duminy. "It's a country where I really love playing the game. It's lovely to be associated with Daredevils and try helping them achieve new goals,” he said.

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(Published 31 March 2015, 19:25 IST)

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