Needed no replacements, had ensured we had backups for all: Delhi Daredevils coach

The Delhi Daredevils camp had received early jolts even before the 2017 edition of the IPL had commenced. Two of their biggest overseas attractions were ruled out of the tournament. Veteran batsman JP Duminy pulled out of the tournament citing personal reasons. On the other hand, Quinton de Kock had to bow out of the season because of an injury. Soon, they even got the news of hamstring injury to Angelo Mathews.

Delhi Daredevils were not the only team to be plagued by the injuries. The other teams started roping in replacements for their injured players. However, the Delhi camp did not do so. The only replacement that they named was for JP Duminy. They brought in the services of Australian pacer Ben Hilfenhaus for the season. The head coach of the Delhi camp, Paddy Upton, revealed the reason why they did not name the other replacements.

As per the quotes in the Sportskeeda, Paddy said that they were very wise at the auctions. They had made up a squad that had backups. The think tank ensured that they had like for like replacements for most of the players. Hence, the loss of the players did not cost them too much.

When asked about the question why they did not draft in replacements, Paddy Upton quoted, “I have been asked that question so many times. I think in putting the squad together in the first place what we really did is we made sure that there was backups for everyone. The format of this tournament, the business of the international calendar, injuries are always a factor.”

He further added that their only concern this season has been with the bowling department. The South African duo of Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada will not be available for the entire season due to international assignments. Hence, they will be needing replacements for them.

“We actually had backups for both of them (Duminy and Quinton de Kock) so there was no need to rush. With the South African bowlers leaving early, particularly Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada, we might actually need bowling replacements rather than batting replacements,” the Delhi Daredevils coach conceded.