Will love to see Delhi-Victoria final: Greg Shipperd

NEW DELHI: Team Delhi coach Greg Shipperd is right now saddled with the burden of 'split loyalty'. One one hand, he has to make sure that Delhi get the right balance ahead of the inaugural Champions League. On the other, he has to do everything it takes to make Victoria, whom he would be coaching in the Twenty20 event, successful.
Of course, the ideal scenario for Shipperd will be Delhi taking on Victoria in the CL final."I would be more than happy to see the two teams playing the final," he says. TOI caught up with Shipperd in the Capital on Friday for a freewheeling interview.
Excerpts:
Do you think Delhi will miss you in the Champions League?
Delhi are a very talented side. David Saker (assistant coach) has been with me in Victoria for the last 10 years. He knows a lot about the game and will looking after the team in my absence. Even guys like TA Sekhar and Ashish Kapoor are very handy to the team management. Then we have players like Sehwag, Gambhir, Dilshan, De Villiers who are big-match players. We also have some promising stars like Dinesh Karthik and Manoj Tiwary. However, it's about executing your skills to perfection on a given day.
Are you happy with the overall performance of Delhi in last two IPL seasons?
There are a lot of positives that have happened. We were able to play the semis both years. But guys like Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist had other plans. From here on, I expect someone from Delhi to rise like Warne and Gilchrist.
Why do you think veterans like Warne and Gilchrist have succeeded?
There all are big players. But recently, they have been fresh for the IPL and that is showing in the results.
Do you think IPL is helping Indian cricket?
Of course, it is helping Indian cricket. Look at a player like Gautam Gambhir. He has shot through the rank. Even a bowler like Ashish Nehra was brilliant and it was eventually the IPL which helped him earn a comeback into the Indian team.
Was Sehwag fit for the IPL semifinal against Hyderabad?
Had he been completely unfit, he wouldn't have played that match. Due to the hectic schedule, almost all the players carry some niggle, but if you and the team management are convinced about your fitness, then there is no point sitting on the bench. In the middle of the IPL, Sehwag had injured his finger and then in the semis, he overstreched during fielding and that caused his shoulder injury. I am sure he is going to comeback strongly.
How tough was it to drop Glenn McGrath from the eleven?
It was a very tough decision. We had to chose four international players out of ten top-class men and it was unfortunate that Glenn missed out.
Was McGrath bowling well in the nets?
He was fine in the nets and was bowling the way he generally does. But everyone was impressed with Nannes' pace and he formed a perfect combo with Nehra.
Will Nannes play for Delhi or Victoria in CL?
Most probably, Nannes will play for Delhi.