Dilshan delays departure, to play against Royals

Updated on: 11 May,2011 09:01 AM IST |
A Correspondent |

Tillakaratne Dilshan has delayed his departure to England and would play against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Daniel Vettori said yesterday

Tillakaratne Dilshan has delayed his departure to England and would play against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Daniel Vettori said yesterday.

Dilshan, Sri Lanka's new captain, was earlier set to leave the IPL yesterday and join his national team in England for a full-fledged series, but seems to have changed his plans.

"I thought he is leaving before this match but he would be available for (today's) match. So any question of replacing him does not arise," Vettori told reporters yesterday.

Bangalore have won five games on the trot and Vettori credited his team's revival with West Indies opener Chris Gayle.

"We had started badly, losing three opening games but with Gayle coming in and his opening partnerships with (Tillakaratne) Dilshan have been able to put pressure on the opposition. Gayle has been in tremendous and has bowled well too," the New Zealand captain said.

Vettori denied Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been off-colour this season.

"He is a key bowler for us and swung the match for us against Pune Warriors. He bowls economically in the last overs and he and I bear the brunt of the attack," he said.

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