Zaheer Khan to lead Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2016

Zaheer Khan, former India fast bowler, has been appointed as the captain of Delhi Daredevils for the upcoming ninth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the GMR-owned franchise announced on Monday (March 28). The experienced seamer will take over captaincy duties from South African all-rounder, JP Duminy, who led the side to a seventh-place finish last season.

In his role as captain, Zaheer will lead a new-look Daredevils side that comprises of relatively inexperienced players after the team management sought to rebuild the team from scratch with a marked emphasis on youth, in the recent IPL auction. Speaking after the appointment, team mentor and Zaheer's former national teammate, Rahul Dravid, said that the fast bowler's vast experience would help command the respect of the full dressing room.

"Zaheer has been a leader for a very long time. Anyone who has followed Indian cricket will know the impact he has had," Dravid said. "He has always proven himself to be one of the leaders. Zak has a big personality, but it is the steel, focus and drive behind the outward confidence which I think he will bring to the captaincy and that I am sure will inspire the rest of the team.

"He has the respect of the dressing room and the franchise is proud to have him as our captain. I would like to congratulate him on the appointment and wish him, and the rest of the squad, all the very best."

The former India captain was also quick to thank Duminy, the outgoing captain, who, according to Dravid, will continue to be a part of the team's leadership group.

Delighted with his new role, Zaheer said: "It is a huge honour to captain Delhi Daredevils. To get this responsibility is a way for me to give back to the game. I firmly believe that with the players currently involved, we have the makings of a very good side, a young side that can surprise people. The potential of this group of players is immense and it is now up to us as players to turn that potential into consistent performances."

The 37-year-old Zaheer, who retired from international cricket in 2015, had indicated his desire to play one more season of the IPL before retiring from all forms and potentially taking up a coaching/mentoring role. Zaheer, who has also represented Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore over the eight seasons of the tournament has 82 wickets from 77 IPL games at an economy of 7.56. This is his first full captaincy stint with an IPL team.

The Daredevils have never won the tournament as yet but have made it to the playoff (semifinal) stages of the tournament thrice. The ninth season of the IPL gets underway at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 9.