Deccan Chargers players recall the good old days

The bond between a cricketer and his team is sacrosanct. Perhaps, it holds true even in the IPL where there’s no guarantee if you’ll be associated with a certain side for two consecutive years.

When Deccan Chargers was disbanded on Friday, it was impossible for its ex-cricketers to not feel an old connect. The Chargers, despite a galaxy of stars, had hit rock-bottom in the IPL’s inaugural edition. Adam Gilchrist, asked to lead the side the following year, showed what team spirit can achieve. They won in 2009 without the big names hogging the spotlight.

Chargers could never recapture the magic thereafter, although they were always a potential threat. Think of the Deccan Chargers and the image of its owner, the charming Gayatri Reddy, flashes. Regardless of where the IPL goes from here, the sight of Reddy egging her team on will be etched in the fans’ memories.

“I’m obviously disappointed with what it is going on,” said Venugopal Rao, whose cracking knocks for DC in the middle-order always gave hope of a turnaround. “I was part of the side that won in 2009. Their owners and the management have always been helpful.”

“I am emotionally connected to the team since I am from Andhra Pradesh. I don’t know what is going on now, but I hope they come out of it soon,” he added.

Pragyan Ojha, one of the architects of DC’s 2009 win, said, “When I heard about the development I was disappointed since I was part of them for four years. I still cherish the title win. It was only because of DC that I got to play with greats such as Gilchrist and VVS Laxman and others. I had also won the purple cap (for the highest wicket-taker) for the team. It is painful to hear what they are going through.”

Badminton star Saina Nehwal, who is sponsored by Deccan Chronicle Holdings Ltd, the parent company of the IPL team, said, “My three-year contract with DC will end this month. I’m looking at  other companies. Deccan Chronicle was my sponsor and Deccan Chargers my management firm. Now, I need a sponsor and also a management firm,” she said.