Many members of Delhi's playing squad and support staff are from Mumbai.
Delhi Daredevils, who have never won the IPL but have been twice semifinalists and entered the Play-offs once, will not be playing at home until their sixth match this season. But, on Saturday, they can feel at home with some of the members in their playing squad and also among the support staff being Mumbai locals.
Their top-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been retained by DD in this year’s IPL auctions has grown up playing a majority of his cricket at the Wankhede. He has not got going this IPL, scoring 11 and 0 not out in the first two matches. DD will hope Saturday will be the start of all good things from the 23-year-old right-hander.
Waiting in the wings to make his IPL debut is Mumbai’s own opening batsman Prithvi Shaw. Spoken of as the next big thing in Indian cricket, having made five first-class centuries in his first 10 matches and guiding India to U-19 World Cup earlier this year, Shaw would fancy a memorable debut at his home ground, if given the chance.
Not to forget their captain Gautam Gambhir, who though from Delhi, is familiar with the Wankhede strip, having played the innings of his life, a man-of-the-match performance in the 2011 World Cup final. But outside of that, he has done precious little in his six other international games here.
Also in their ranks is Haryana off-spinner Jayant Yadav, whose only Test century came here against England in November 2016.
Among their support staff is their batting coach Pravin Amre, who has known the Wankhede inside out, first as a player and then guiding the Mumbai Ranji Trophy for many years. His inputs will be invaluable, especially when DD are looking for their first victory this season.
But the biggest influence has to be Ricky Ponting, their head coach. Having been on the other dressing room in a similar capacity for two years, 2015 and 2016 and guiding Mumbai Indians to title in his first year, the Australian legend has a lot of insights about the defending champions.
On the other hand, TA Sekar, Delhi Daredevils’ mentor until last year, has switched roles with Mumbai Indians this year.
Asked how this change of personnel, especially in the coaching staff who have earlier been on the opposition camp, helped the side,
Delhi Daredevils left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem said on Thursday: "I have been with the franchise for the last 7 years and have seen so many people come and go out. It helps as everyone comes in with his own plans. If you have Pravin (Amre) Sir and Ricky in our team, they know the strengths and weaknesses of Mumbai. That could be of advantage for us.”
So, Delhi Daredevils need not feel out of place at the Wankhede. They do have the people to give them the local flavour and knowledge.
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 "Shreyas Iyer")
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