Depleted Delhi face Victorian challenge

New Delhi: Struggling with three pull-outs within one week, strong contenders Delhi Daredevils would seek to capitalise on the experience of legendary Australian paceman Glenn McGrath when they take on Victoria in their opening Champions League Twenty20 match here on Friday.

Delhi have lost three overseas players - South African AB de Villers, England's Paul collingwood and Daniel Vettori of New Zealand - in quick succession on the run-up to the cash-rich 12-team event.

However, captain Gautam Gambhir was not a worried man before the campaign opener and exuded confidence about producing good results in the tournament.

"I can assure the supporters that the Delhi team would leave no stone unturned to put up a good performance in the tournament," Gambhir said.

McGrath, who replaced Collingwood, and Australian paceman Dirk Nannes could forge a lethal pair, which has the ability to inflict early blows and break the backbone of opponent line-ups.

In the absence of experienced Vettori, Indian leg-spinner Amit Mishra would be a key member of Delhi's bowling armoury, while Rajt Bhatia's medium pace may help Delhi get some breakthroughs.