The Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils (DD) is apparently looking for a rechristening of their franchise name and wants to drop ‘devils’ from their current name.
It seems that the 50:50 partnerships between DD owners GMR and JSW Sports is fast becoming a one-man show with Parth Jindal, Director at JSW Sports, calling all the shots where major decisions regarding the franchise are concerned, as reported by the Times of India.
It has been learnt that the scion of the Jindal group has quite a few plans in his mind and some of the plans include giving full control of the team to their coach and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and trying to bring in Harbhajan Singh as a bowling mentor. He is also looking for a change in color of the team’s kit and changing the name of the franchise.
“Parth isn’t very comfortable with the captain being too flamboyant. He believes the individual heading the team should be more simple in his outlook and that is one of the things he’s spoken about internally,” sources in the know of things told TOI.
The new young owner is learned to have sent out a clear message to the staff at Daredevils that those being “retained” would be told specifically if they belong at the franchise and those not informed “will have to assume that they are not required anymore,” sources added.
This new development resulted in CEO Hemant Dua being released from his post two days ago.
Both, Jindal Jr and Kiran Grandhi (of GMR) have been of the view lately that the word ‘devils’ in Daredevils hasn’t worked in the franchise’s favor and needs to be done away with. Therefore, the franchise could soon expect to get itself a new name.
Outside of the owners’ camp, the legendary Ricky Ponting will be the sole decision-maker in the Daredevils camp, only to be assisted by ‘mentor’ Harbhajan, according to the plans of the new owner.
Harbhajan played for 2018 IPL champions Chennai Super Kings after he was bought by the franchise, as Mumbai Indians, for whom, he played for a decade, decided to release him.
Those in the know of things say the 38-year-old off-spinner is being backed for the role thanks to a leading former India cricketer. Sources tracking developments said, “don’t be surprised if Harbhajan decides to hang his boots.”
(Inputs from TOI)
