KOLKATA: As media persons waited for Delhi Daredevils skipper Zaheer Khan to address them at the post match press conference, most people were expecting a dour-looking ‘Zak’ to come in.
But, lo and behold! A positively beaming 37-year-old entered. One can be forgiven for thinking that the Delhi franchise had just thrashed the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Repeatedly using the word ‘intent’ in an almost eight-minute interaction, Zaheer praised his young team and said it would be wrong to write the Daredevils off at such an early stage. “I’m smiling because I know it’s been a tough day, but it was just one bad day. I’m sure every team will have one,” he commented.
The young Daredevils batting department failed to last the distance as they were bowled out for a meagre 98 in 17.4 overs.
But, Zaheer backed his under-fire batting to come good. “I’m just happy with the way the boys carried themselves. They showed positive intent.”