Veterans helping Daredevils keep focus

New Delhi: Delhi Daredevils all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels his team has enough wise heads to tackle any issues with complacency in the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Pathan said the Daredevils, who have consolidated their position at the top of the table thanks to a four-match winning streak, were focused on winning their maiden title.

Daredevils have staged a remarkable turnaround this season after finishing last in 2011 and are almost assured of being the first team to qualify for the play-offs.

Pathan said it was easy for players to drop their intensity level from here on, but senior players like Virender Sehwag, Mahela Jayawardene, Kevin Pietersen and Ross Taylor were helping them stay grounded.

While Sehwag and Englishman Pietersen are former captains of their national teams, Jayawardene and Taylor are current captains of Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

"It can easily happen, but luckily we have a good group of guys who know how to approach each match. They have been very smart with their play," Pathan told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional event at the Fortis Hospital.

Pathan also praised the work done by head coach Eric Simmons, who was earlier the fast bowling coach of the Indian team.

Huge role

"Eric Simmons is keeping a check on us all the time. After the Chennai game, I remember he wanted us to learn from our mistakes even though we won comfortably. The support staff also has a huge role to play and they are making sure we think about the process of winning and not looking at winning the competition. We are aware of how quickly things change in Twenty20," Pathan said, referring to their comprehensive win against the Chennai on April 10.