Duminy’s void can be filled by Corey & Angelo but absence of de Kock a big blow for DD: Dravid

DELHI DAREDEVILS' CHIEF COACH Rahul Dravid has conceded that the absence of Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy is a big blow to the franchise’s 2017 campaign. 

While Duminy cited personal reasons for pulling out, de Kock sustained a finger fracture during the Test series against New Zealand at Wellington. As reported by PTI, Dravid said,

“It is obviously a big blow when you lose big players like JP Duminy and Quinton De Kock. If these things happen before the auction, then it is easier because you can plan better. But then this is how it goes and you cannot help it. We do have talented players like Sam Billings and hopefully they can go up and perform.”

The former India skipper hopes to see Corey Anderson and Angelo Matthews to fill Duminy’s void, however, believes that de Kock’s absence is a bigger loss. 

“We have all-rounders like Corey Anderson and Angelo Mathews so we hope that these boys can stand up and perform and in some way replace JP. But yes, Quinton is a big loss because he played so many games for us and was one of our main batsmen. We had built him up for this season, but this is how life is and you cannot do much about it.” 

Dravid reckoned that the Delhi franchise will strategize better by giving youngsters more opportunity. 

“We will also look to strategize better and give the players good opportunity. In a format like the IPL, it is also important to rest the players and keep them fresh and we will also look at that and give it our best and be successful.”

Speaking about the impact that veteran pacer Zaheer Khan can have on the youngsters, the 44-year-old concluded, 

“We have a lot of youngsters in the team and that is where we needed Zaheer as he brings in that knowledge and sense of calm in the dressing room. You need that when you are playing a tournament like the IPL. Also a lot of the youngsters look up to Zaheer as he is an inspiration.”

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