Posts in category: Press Releases

Owner Mr Gaurav Grover & Head Coach Mushtaq Ahmed happy with the team and said that they got what they wanted, looking forward to win the title this season.

Dubai/Mumbai: Deccan Gladiators have packed their squad with big power hitters for this edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 League scheduled to start from November 19 to December 5, 2021.

Explosive opener Evin Lewis at the top, the mercurial Andre Russell at No. 4 and star all-rounder Odean Smith, who bowls 140kmph and is capable of hitting the ball long, will come in at No. 8. That apart, the team has a host of experienced and exciting players like Najibullah Zadran, David Wiese, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ravi Bopara, Sultan Ahmed, Rumman Raees. The team also has young and talented cricketers like Tom Banton and 17-year-old Izharulhaq Naveed. Overall, Deccan Gladiators have picked a well-balanced squad at the Players Draft for the Abu Dhabi T10 held late last evening.

Happy with his team, Deccan Gladiators team owner Mr Gaurav Grover said: “I am very happy with the team we got, actually it went as we wanted and according to our strategy. Last two editions we had focused a lot on our bowling but this year we have a lot more depth in our batting and with Gpd’s grace, we are hopeful of going all the way to the title this season.”

Head Coach Mushtaq Ahmed said: “We had spent few days strategizing the kind of team we want to pick and I am very happy and excited at the same time that we got what we were looking for and I am hopeful that they can show their talent and express themselves and, Inshallah! win the trophy for Deccan Gladiators this season.”

THE SQUAD: Andre Russell, Tymal Mills, Zahoor Khan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Izharulhaq Naveed, Sultan Ahmed, Ravi Bopara, Rumman Raees, Odean Smith, Najibullah Zadran, David Wiese, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Banton and Evin Lewis. Head Coach – Mushtaq Ahmed.

About Deccan Gladiators

In a nutshell, Deccan Gladiators is a result of owner Mr Gaurav Grover’s vision combined with his passion for the sport which he loves so dearly. Representing the glory of the South as the name suggests, the Gladiators in the team are no less than their historical counterparts of the Roman Empire. A perfect combination of youthful exuberance and battle-hardened experienced generals, the team has time and again in the past won hearts with their fearless brand of cricket in the park. Add to it a new strategic approach and red hot form of everyone, in the team, that is Deccan Gladiators for you this season.

Association with the fantasy sports app will help the team reach out to a more active participating audience, says Team Owner Mr Gaurav Grover.

Dubai/Mumbai: Fantasy sports app SportGully have come on board as the Principal Sponsor of the Deccan Gladiators team in the AbuDhabi T10 scheduled to be played from November 19 to December 4, 2021 in Abu Dhabi. As the Principal Sponsor of the team, the SportGully logo will be displayed in the front of the team jersey.

Welcoming SportGully on board, Deccan Gladiators team owner Mr Gaurav Grover said: “The new generation of sports fans have different ways of getting engaged in a game, they just don’t want to watch a game on TV and be happy, they want to be involved in the entire process from selecting a team, feel responsible through its ups and downs in a match till the final outcome. SportGully provides that and more to all its fans and I strongly believe that our association with SportGully will help us reach out to a more active participating audience which in itself is a huge morale-boosting factor to the Deccan Gladiators brand and all our stakeholders.”

Deccan Gladiators marketing head, Mr Udit Vats added: “The pandemic has not been easy on anyone and with brands coming and supporting Deccan Gladiators shows how much they have believed in this team. This association also reinforces SportGully’s commitment to engage with cricket fans in every category of the game.”

About Deccan Gladiators

In a nutshell, Deccan Gladiators is a result of owner Mr Gaurav Grover’s vision combined with his passion for the sport which he loves so dearly. Representing the glory of the South as the name suggests, the Gladiators in the team are no less than their historical counterparts of the Roman Empire. A perfect combination of youthful exuberance and battle-hardened experienced generals, the team has time and again in the past won hearts with their fearless brand of cricket in the park. Add to it a new strategic approach and red hot form of everyone, in the team, that is Deccan Gladiators for you this season.

Owner Mr Gaurav Grover & Head Coach Mushtaq Ahmed happy with the team and said that they got what they wanted, looking forward to win the title this season.

Gladiators armed with more power hitters this season

Dubai/Mumbai: Deccan Gladiators have packed their squad with big power hitters for this edition of

the Abu Dhabi T10 League scheduled to start from November 19 to December 5, 2021.

Explosive opener Evin Lewis at the top, the mercurial Andre Russell at No. 4 and star all-rounder Odean Smith, who bowls 140kmph and is capable of hitting the ball long, will come in at No. 8. That apart, the team has a host of experienced and exciting players like Najibullah Zadran, David Wiese, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ravi Bopara, Sultan Ahmed, Rumman Raees. The team also has young and talented cricketers like Tom Banton and 17-year-old Izharulhaq Naveed. Overall, Deccan Gladiators have picked a well-balanced squad at the Players Draft for the Abu Dhabi T10 held late last evening.

Head Coach Mushtaq Ahmed said: “We had spent few days strategizing the kind of team we want to pick and I am very happy and excited at the same time that we got what we were looking for and I am hopeful that they can show their talent and express themselves and, Inshallah! win the trophy for Deccan Gladiators this season.”

Happy with his team, Deccan Gladiators team owner Mr Gaurav Grover said: “I am very happy with the team we got, actually it went as we wanted and according to our strategy. Last two editions we had focused a lot on our bowling but this year we have a lot more depth in our batting and with Gpd’s grace, we are hopeful of going all the way to the title this season.”

THE SQUAD: Andre Russell, Tymal Mills, Zahoor Khan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Izharulhaq Naveed, Sultan Ahmed, Ravi Bopara, Rumman Raees, Odean Smith, Najibullah Zadran, David Wiese, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Tom Banton, Evin Lewis, Anwar Ali, Ryan Rickleton and Nav Pabreja.

Head Coach – Mushtaq Ahmed.

About Deccan Gladiators

In a nutshell, Deccan Gladiators is a result of owner Mr Gaurav Grover’s vision combined with his passion for the sport which he loves so dearly. Representing the glory of the South as the name suggests, the Gladiators in the team are no less than their historical counterparts of the Roman Empire. A perfect combination of youthful exuberance and battle-hardened experienced generals, the team has time and again in the past won hearts with their fearless brand of cricket in the park.

Add to it a new strategic approach and red hot form of everyone, in the team, that is Deccan Gladiators for you this season.

The legendary spinner, who has coached Gladiators for the third successive season, is all praise for the team management for giving him a free hand to do things.

Dubai/Mumbai: On the eve of the Players Draft in the Abu Dhabi T10, Deccan Gladiators Head Coach Mushtaq Ahmed said that the team management will look the build the squad around West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell who is the Icon Player this season.

“We have already named Andre as our Icon Player and naturally, the players that we will pick in the draft, will be done keeping him as the central figure,” said the legendary Pakistan leg-spinner who has picked up 2256 wickets in his playing career that included 52 Tests, 144 ODIs, 29 T20Is, 309 First Class Games and 381 List A Matches.

Regarded as one of the three best wrist spinners to have played the game ever, Mushi, as he is popularly known, said that no matter who is picked in the draft, as the head coach, his job is to motivate them to give their best on the field from the word go as the format demands prompt action and quick thinking.

“All these players come with lot of experience and you don’t have to teach them anything technical about the game. It all boils down to man management and how you can motivate each and every player to give their best on the field. T10 is a very fast format, faster than even T20s, in my opinion. In T20s you get a couple of balls to get in, but in T10, you don’t even get that. So as the head coach there is a lot to do before the players walk out to the park,” said Mushtaq who is currently the spin bowling coach of the Pakistan national team.

Mushtaq, who is the head coach of Deccan Gladiators for the third season in succession, is also all praise for the team management for giving him a free hand to do things his way.

“I am extremely thankful to team owner Mr Gaurav Grover for giving me a free hand to do things. And that comes from him because he understands the game so well. After our wins or defeat, he will be the first one to call, and, even when the team loses, he will always pick the positives from them. He is a gem of a person and that’s the reason why the entire support staff tries to follow his footsteps. I will not name them, but a number of players have come to me and expressed their desire to represent Deccan Gladiators,” added the coach.

About Deccan Gladiators

In a nutshell, Deccan Gladiators is a result of owner Mr Gaurav Grover’s vision combined with his passion for the sport which he loves so dearly. Representing the glory of the South as the name suggests, the Gladiators in the team are no less than their historical counterparts of the Roman Empire. A perfect combination of youthful exuberance and battle-hardened experienced generals, the team has time and again in the past won hearts with their fearless brand of cricket in the park. Add to it a new strategic approach and red hot form of everyone, in the team, that is Deccan Gladiators for you this season.

The leg-spinner and explosive batter Wanindu joins Tymal Mills and Zahoor Khan to become the third player retained by the franchisee.

Dubai/Mumbai: With two days to go for the Players Draft in the Abu Dhabi T10, Deccan Gladiators have retained Sri Lankan leggie and explosive batter, Wanindu Hasaranga in the squad. Hasaranga joins England all-rounder Tymal Mills and UAE fast bowler Zahoor Khan in the list of retained players by the franchisee. West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell is the Icon Player of the team.

Hasaranga, who is currently playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, shot into limelight in his first ever one-day international (ODI) when he claimed a hat-trick against Zimbabwe and thereby becoming the third debutant and the first leggie in the history of the game to claim that feat. Hasaranga’s seven wickets in three T20 Internationals, with best figures of 4 for 9, helped Sri Lanka beat India in the recently concluded limited overs and T20I series at home.

The 24-year-old is one of the most promising cricketers in Sri Lanka’s cricket horizon. Someone who was drafted straight into the senior national squad from his U-19 side, Hasaranga plays all formats of the game (Test, ODIs, T20Is and T10) and his all-round abilities can be vital in Deccan Gladiators quest for their maiden Abu Dhabi T10 title this season.

“I think my batting and bowling style suits this version more than any other formats that I play, and so, I am looking forward to go out there, do what I do best, and bring home the cup! I can’t wait to join the likes of Dre Russ (Andre Russell), Tymal (Mills) and Zahoor (Khan) in the Deccan Gladiators line-up. I am a leg-spinner and I am eagerly waiting to meet my childhood hero and coach of Deccan Gladiators, the legendary leg-spinner from Pakistan Mushtaq Ahmed. I am sure I will be able to learn a lot from him,” said Hasaranga after his retention in the Deccan Gladiators squad.

Deccan Gladiators owner Mr Gaurav Grover said: “One of the most talented all-rounder in world cricket at the moment, he is such a great player for his age and he handles the tough situations perfectly. I am so glad to have a match-winner like him in our side.”

About Deccan Gladiators

In a nutshell, Deccan Gladiators is a result of owner Mr Gaurav Grover’s vision combined with his passion for the sport which he loves so dearly. Representing the glory of the South as the name suggests, the Gladiators in the team are no less than their historical counterparts of the Roman

Empire. A perfect combination of youthful exuberance and battle-hardened experienced generals, the team has time and again in the past won hearts with their fearless brand of cricket in the park. Add to it a new strategic approach and red hot form of everyone, in the team, that is Deccan Gladiators for you this season.

UAE medium fast bowler Zahoor Khan second member retained by the franchise.

Dubai/Mumbai: England all-rounder Tymal Mills and local boy Zahoor Khan have been retained by the Deccan Gladiators for the fifth edition of Abu Dhabi T10 scheduled to be played from November 19 to December 4, 2021 in Abu Dhabi.

Mills has been on the Deccan Gladiators rooster since the second edition but couldn’t take part in the competition because of injury. A right-arm medium fast bowler, Zahoor on the other hand has been instrumental in the team’s brilliant performance in the last two season.

Talking about his retention, Mills said: “Super excited to get playing for the Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to represent the team in the last couple of years. But I will be there this time, straight after the World T20. I can’t wait to see what squad the team puts together, but I am sure they will pick a real challenging bunch of players. So, really excited about the tournament and I hope to see you supporting us online and at home as well.”

Zahoor added: “It has always been an honour representing Deccan Gladiators in Abu Dhabi T10 and I am looking forward to another great year. I am thankful to the owners for restoring the team’s faith and trust on me and I will ensure that I don’t let them down.”

Excited about retaining the duo, team owner Mr Gaurav Grover said, “They both have been phenomenal players and apart from the experience and the expertise, they bring in lot of positive vibes, which is very important to the team and I am confident that they will take Deccan Gladiators all the way to the title round.”

About Deccan Gladiators

In a nutshell, Deccan Gladiators is a result of owner Mr Gaurav Grover’s vision combined with his passion for the sport which he loves so dearly. Representing the glory of the South as the name suggests, the Gladiators in the team are no less than their historical counterparts of the Roman Empire. A perfect combination of youthful exuberance and battle-hardened experienced generals, the team has time and again in the past won hearts with their fearless brand of cricket in the park. Add to it a new strategic approach and red hot form of everyone, in the team, that is Deccan Gladiators for you this season.

Dubai/Mumbai: West Indian star all-rounder Andre Russell is the new Icon Player for Deccan Gladiators in Abu Dhabi T10. Deccan Gladiators, the runners-up side in the 2019 edition, has roped in Russell keeping in mind that the 2021 edition will feature an increased number of matches which will be played over a longer period than previous seasons. The fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 is scheduled to be held from November 19 to December 4, 2021.

The Jamaican all-rounder, who is one of the star performer in the Indian Premier League (IPL) side, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is coming on the back of some excellent performances in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Russell is also one of the key members in the West Indies World T20 Squad.

Commenting on his elevation as the Icon of the side, Russell said: “I am extremely excited to be the Icon Player of Deccan Gladiators in Abu Dhabi T10 this year and I am looking forward to be out there with the team and go all the way to win the title. It is also an honour to be regarded as the Icon Player in the team and I will thrive to live up to the expectation and the faith that the team management has bestowed upon me.”

Deccan Gladiators team owner Mr Gaurav Grover is elated to have Russell as the Icon Player in the side and said, “We are thrilled to have Andre Russell as the Icon Player in the side and I am sure that with his boundless energy and impeccable record in the game, his presence will act as a morale booster to everyone in the side and he will help the team climb newer heights.”

About Deccan Gladiators

In a nutshell, Deccan Gladiators is a result of owner Mr Gaurav Grover’s vision combined with his passion for the sport which he loves so dearly. Representing the glory of the South as the name suggests, the Gladiators in the team are no less than their historical counterparts of the Roman Empire. A perfect combination of youthful exuberance and battle-hardened experienced generals, the team has time and again in the past won hearts with their fearless brand of cricket in the park. Add to it a new strategic approach and red hot form of everyone, in the team, that is Deccan Gladiators for you this season.

For further media enquiries, please contact:
Ajit Bezbaruah | ajit.bezbaruah@adfactorspr.com | +917045148657
Jonathan Kale | jonathan.kale@adfactorspr.com | +919699950560