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KP, Jayawardene will boost Daredevils team: Sehwag

Last updated on: April 9, 2012 18:27 IST
Virender Sehwag

Bolstered by the availability of Mahela Jayawardene and Kevin Pietersen, Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag is hoping to return to winning ways when they take on Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Jayawardene and Pietersen missed Daredevils' first two games because of national commitments, but is all set to play against Chennai at the Feroze Shah Kotla.

"Mahela (Jayawardene) and KP's (Pietersen) return will give a boost to our side. Any captain would love to have them in his side," Sehwag said at a promotional event.

"Lot of young players are looking forward to share the dressing room with them," he added.

'Good blend of youth and experience'

Last updated on: April 9, 2012 18:27 IST
Irfan Pathan celebrates the fall of a wicket

After an easy eight-win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their tournament opener, Daredevils slumped to a 20-run loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday.

"We are looking to start our campaign in Delhi with a win tomorrow," Sehwag said.

Asked about the lack of quality spinners in his side, Sehwag said, "We don't have big names in spin department but we have utility spinners in Roelef van der Merwe, Shahbaz Nadeem etc."

Jayawardene and Pietersen also understand their importance in the Daredevils team and the former said as senior players their job would be to make life easy for Sehwag on the field.

"Both KP and I have the responsibility to help Viru in decision making on and off the field," he said.

"We have good blend of youth and experience in our team and we as senior players just need to guide the youngsters," the Sri Lankan added.

Pietersen warned over the use of switch-hit

Last updated on: April 9, 2012 18:27 IST
Kevin Pietersen

Meanwhile, Pietersen, who was officialy warned in the recently-concluded second Test against Sri Lanka because of his now famous switch hit, felt the issue was unnecessarily blown out of proportion.

He was warned by Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf for shaping to play the switch-hit way too early against Tillakaratne Dilshan during his 151-run knock against Sri Lanka.

Asked about the incident, the Englishman said, "It was a controversy but why I don't know.

"I feel it doesn't make sense to penalise. I feel it was a time-wasting issue."

Asked whether he would play the switch hit in the ongoing IPL, Pietersen said, "I can't say whether I will continue to play the switch hit or not. It will depend on what the field is and who the bowler is."

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