Laxman confident against Daredevils

22 April 2008

Having made his Twenty20 debut on Sunday against the potent Kolkata Knight Riders, India’s star batsman and Deccan Chargers skipper VVS Laxman expressed confidence that his team would make a strong comeback in their second encounter against the Delhi Daredevils at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Tuesday.

The Deccan Chargers were tipped as one of the favourites during the commencement of the tournament with a star-studded squad comprising of Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, Shahid Afridi, Scott Styris, RP Singh and captain Laxman.

Shahid Afridi arrived in India on Monday after Pakistan routed Bangladesh 5-0 in the recently concluded five-match series. The vibrant all-rounder is expected to take the field against the Daredevils when the Deccan Chargers play their first home match in the tourney.

"It should be a good wicket," Laxman was quoted as saying.

Though his team was not able to play 20 complete overs in the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, he hoped that they will play a full innings tomorrow.

Asked whether the IPL has lived up to his expectations, he said that it is an "amazing concept and the atmosphere was electrifying".

On emergence of city loyalties in IPL matches, he added, "There will be loyalties towards the specific (city) teams but we got support at Kolkata on Sunday. If we play some good cricket, we will get support on Sunday as well."