Abu Dhabi T10 League: Faf Du Plessis confident of his team’s chances: Set to start at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in UAE from November 19, the countdown to Abu Dhabi T10 season 5 is in its final leg. Over the 15-day-long season, six teams – Northern Warriors, The Chennai Braves, Delhi Bulls, Team Abu Dhabi, Bangla Tigers and Deccan Gladiators – will be vying for the coveted trophy.
Northern Warriors, two-time champions and current title holders, will be playing to hold on to their perch, albeit with a very new-look squad. The biggest change for the reigning champs will be at the helm with Jamaica’s Rovman Powell taking over the captaincy duties from fellow West Indian cricketer Nicholas Pooran.
On the other hand, Bangla Tigers’ newly appointed captain Faf du Plessis looks all happy with the team mix and is confident of his team’s chances in the tournament.
Abu Dhabi T10 League: Bangla Tigers captain Faf du Plessis happy with team mix, says ‘confident of doing well in tournament’
“My role as a captain would be to get the team together and create an environment wherein the players are having fun and being themselves. We have a good mix of players and I am confident of the Bangla Tigers doing well in the tournament,” Faf du Plessis said.
Meanwhile, Chennai Braves are making their debut this season and their captain Dasun Shanaka is excited about the role assigned to him.
“We have a good combination of all-rounders, fast bowlers and both left and right-handed batsmen in the team. Not just that, The Chennai Clan also strikes a perfect balance of experienced and young players. With Douglas Brown and Ian Bell by our side to coach, the boys are ready to take the field by storm,” said Shanaka in an official release.
Abu Dhabi T10 League: Bangla Tigers captain Faf du Plessis happy with team mix, says ‘confident of doing well in tournament’
On the other hand, bringing his trademark Caribbean flamboyance and ‘champions’ mindset to the Delhi Bulls this season will be Dwayne Bravo, one of Abu Dhabi T10’s old guards. The West Indian dynamo led the Bulls to the final last season and has set his goals a notch higher this time around.
“We came so close to being champions last season, and we have identified the areas we needed to improve this time around. So we have a good balance in the squad and it will now be about playing consistent cricket,” Dwayne Bravo said.
Dwayne Bravo, however, will need to be wary of Wahab Riaz, who is leading the Deccan Gladiators this season.
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“This season is crucial for the Deccan Gladiators. We had a great team last season, but couldn’t go far in the tournament. But this season we aim to win it and perform well right from the first game. Our squad combination is solid. We have some very experienced players who are match-winners and some raw talent who can change the game,” Wahab Riaz stated.
Abu Dhabi T10 League: Bangla Tigers captain Faf du Plessis happy with team mix, says ‘confident of doing well in tournament’
With six ace captains, in charge of equally talented squads, having set their sights on the Abu Dhabi T10 trophy this season, not an inch will be given without a battle on the road to the final on December 4.
