Superfans

Delhi Daredevils, aiming to stay competitive through the coming season in the DLF Indian Premier League,  unveiled its plans to engage with fans by signing on four remarkable flagbearers of daredevilry as Delhi Daredevils Supefans.

India’s only IronMan athlete Anuradha Vaidyanathan, the youngest Indian climber to summit three peaks beyond 8000m, including Mount Everest, Arjun Vajpai, India’s only ultramarathon runner Arun Bhardwaj and the only Indian woman to ski her way to South Pole, Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu were presented the Delhi Daredevils Supefans badge by GMR Sports Chairman Mr. Kiran K Grandhi.

GMR Sports Head (Marketing) Hemant Dua said the Superfans exhibit a similar Dare-to-Succeed approach to their respective pursuits as the Delhi Daredevils cricketers. “Daredevilry is an attitude that is developed over time and not an act of impulse,” he said. “We want to showcase the fact that everyone can be a daredevil no matter which walk of life one is in. Our Superfans encompass a diverse range – from a housewife to a student, from a Government employee to an entrepreneur – but they all bound by the common thread of daredevilry.”

Mr. Dua elaborated on plans to connect with the entire spectrum of people in the region. “Our marketing campaign for the year will revolve around the banter between our cricketers and our diehard fans, through these Superfans,” he said. “These wonderful flagbearers of daredevilry will also take part in road shows through the year to inculcate this spirit among the people of the National Capital Region of Delhi. The Delhi Daredevils team belongs to this amazing city and wants to contribute to its overall development as a world class city.” 

GMR Sports Head (Cricket) and Delhi Daredevils Mentor TA Sekar said the players would benefit from an interaction with the four Super Fans. “Cricketers have always admired achievers from other walks of life. The Delhi Daredevils squad will draw from the experiences of the Super Fans and be able to imbibe some of the learning into their own approach to life in general and their cricket in particular,” he said.

“We have strengthened our squad this season with the inclusion of daredevils like vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene, Kevin Pietersen and Andre Russell so that we can mount a serious challenge. And we draw strength from the tremendous support our team and players have always got from the fans here. This initiative will come as a shot in the arm for our squad.”

The four Super Fans expressed delight at being inducted into the Delhi Daredevils fold. Anuradha Vaidyanathan said speed is something that she could not live without – like the pace bowler Umesh Yadav. “Just like the Delhi Daredevils team, I love beating stereotypes black and blue,” she said. Teenager Arjun Vajpai said he enjoys watching the Daredevils as much as he love climbing. “I am proud of the Delhi Daredevils and I cheer for the team with the same passion that took to me the summit of Mount Everest,” he said.

Arun Bhardwaj said he would not miss tracking a Delhi Daredevils game. “I love watching its batsmen hit the ball out of the ground,” he said. Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu sees similarities in her adventures to Virender Sehwag. “My passion for mountaineering is like what he has for his batting. My tryst with skiing is like his penchant to bowl as well,” she said.