Rahul Dravid is Delhi Daredevils’ new mentor

Upton was most recently associated with the Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash T20 tournament, steering the New South Wales side to their maiden title. Asked about the eyebrow-raising Rs 8.5 cr purchase of Pawan Negi by the Delhi Daredevils, Dravid said: “The auctions can be very dynamic”.

The Daredevils revamped their coaching staff after terminating former India coach Gary Kirsten’s three-year contract early following two disappointing years where the franchise finished near or at the bottom of the Indian Premier League points table. Also today, Paddy Upton was named as Daredevils’ head coach.

“I really enjoyed my time with Rajasthan Royals”.

Dravid said he made some wonderful memories with the Rajasthan Royals but insisted that he was ready to move on with his next challenge in the IPL. I thought I won’t be involved in the IPL for the next couple of years. “As of now, I am looking forward to the next three months and we will take the future as it comes”. It is natural (to feel the connect) if you spend five years at any place.

Dravid and Upton will work with a team of assistants: Zubin Bharucha (technical director), former India batsmen Sridharan Sriram and Praveen Amre (batting coaches), and former Tamil Nadu and India fast bowler TA Sekhar (bowling consultant). “But I am looking forward to building those kind of memories and great associations here, which I am sure of”. “I don’t like to rate people as icons. There was a lot of planning and we’re happy to have the best players”, Dravid said. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were also banned for a two-year period along with RR. “I never played for Delhi Daredevils, but I recognised there’s so much potential in the side”. “Zubin (Bharucha) was included in the auction process”. “Pawan is an exciting young talent from Delhi”. “The advantage is that all of them are good batsmen”.

“One of the benefits of IPL is the exposure it gives these young players, just the sheer confidence you see in some of these boys”.