Team Preview - Deccan Chargers

Performance in IPL 2008

Despite being termed as a team to win the cup, a string of poor performances and controversies taunted the Hyderabad team throughout the first season of the IPL. An injury to the team's captain VVS Laxman during the series had the former Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist fill in as the captain. 

A massive storm struck the team when the Pakistani dasher Shahid Afridi pointed out that VVS Laxman's was incompetent to lead Hyderabad and was responsible for the team's poor show during the inaugural season of the IPL. A momentary ceasefire was called before the flames resurfaced. The team management stepped in and terminated the IPL contract of Afridi.

At the end of the season, Hyderabad could manage only two wins in the 14 matches played by them, finishing at the bottom of the table. Their victories came against the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings thanks to powerful batting performances by Adam Gilchrist.

Who's in, who's out

Who's in?

After a miserable campaign last time around, some sweeping changes have been made.

Before the start of the second auction, the Queensland all-rounder Ryan Harris was signed by the management after a strong recommendation from the Hyderabad coach Darren Lehmann.

They also got hold of 6 new players from the domestic circuit - Jaskarandeep Singh, H.S. Bansal, T.Suman, Abhinav Kumar, S.M.Shoaib and M.S.Bisla.

The West Indian Fidel Edwards (USD 150,000) and Dwayne Smith (USD 100,000) were the international players bought at the auction.

Even the logo was not spared. The new logo has a silver background as opposed to the gold one which they had last year. They will also be sporting different kits on the field.

Who's out?

While the classy VVS Laxman was replaced by Adam Gilchrist as the captain, Shahid Afridi was shown the doors for speaking against Laxman. Herschelle Gibbs was up for sale due to his poor show but was not purchased by any of the teams.

Players to watch out for

Adam Gilchrist: While Gilchrist was good in patches during IPL-1, Hyderabad would want a more consistent performance from this dashing Australian wicket keeper to revive the team's prospects during the second season.

Herschelle Gibbs: After a forgettable campaign during 2008, Gibbs would bank on his powerful batting skills to fire during 2009. He is stil lightning quick on the field and batting on home turf would certainly work to his advantage.

Rohit Sharma: A consistent performance from Sharma during the first edition of IPL was perhaps the only saving grace for Hyderabad. He was the second-highest run-scorer for the Chargers last time around and remains a vital cog in the middle order.

Venugopal Rao: Venugopal Rao had a quiet tournament to begin with but came into his own during the second half of the tournament, taking his team to the brink of victory on many occassions. A heavy-scorer in domestic cricket, Venugopal will need to better his performance this time around.

Trivia

Andrew Symonds was the most expensive bowler for Deccan Chargers - he was hit for 30 in one over by Sehwag and 17 in the last over of a match by Warne.

Adam Gilchrist of Deccan Chargers scored the fastest century of IPL 2008, doing so in just 42 balls against Mumbai Indians.

Not only did the Deccan Chargers finish last, they disappointed their fans by not winning a single home game in the IPL 2008.

The highest partnership for any wicket in the IPL is 155 between Adam Gilchrist and VVS Laxman in the match between Hyderabad and Mumbai.

RP Singh of the Deccan Chargers gave away 59 runs in his 4 ovs against KKR thereby making him the bowler with the worst economy rate in a game.

Current Squad

Adam Gilchrist (AUS), Rohit Sharma(Vice-Captain), Chamara Silva (SL), Herschelle Gibbs (RSA), V.V.S.Laxman, Arjun Yadav, Venugopal Rao, D.B.Ravi Teja, T.Suman, Abhinav Kumar, Dwayne Smith (WI), Scott Styris (NZ), Andrew Symonds (AUS), Ryan Harris (AUS), Halhadar Das, M.S.Bisla, R. P. Singh, Fidel Edwards WI), Chaminda Vaas (SL), Nuwan Zoysa (SL), D.Kalyankrishna, Pragyan Ojha, M Sarveesh Kumar, H.S.Bansal, Jaskarandeep Singh, P. Vijay Kumar, S.M.Shoaib

Coaches

Head Coach: Darren Lehmann (AUS)

Assistant Coach: Kanwaljit Singh