Daredevils sign Ross Taylor from Royals

Delhi Daredevils have acquired Ross Taylor, the New Zealand captain, from Rajasthan Royals. Taylor is the second batsman Daredevils have signed in a trade, with Kevin Pietersen having made the move from Deccan Chargers in the first transfer window prior to the IPL auction. The transfer amount was not disclosed.

"We all know what a quality player Ross is and we are happy that he will be with us this season," Delhi Daredevils mentor TA Sekar said. "Besides players like our captain Virender Sehwag and David Warner, we have added muscle to our batting by inducting Mahela Jayawardene, Kevin Pietersen and now Ross Taylor into our fold. Our fans can look forward to some explosive knocks."

Taylor was bought by the Royals for $1 million in the 2011 player auction and played just the one season for them. He was picked to be the team's finisher, to provide that late-innings kick that sets a winning total or ensures a successful run-chase. Over 11 innings last season, he averaged 36.20 with a strike rate of 119.07 and a top score of 47 not out, one of six innings in which he remained unbeaten. Rajasthan were in contention for a spot in the play-offs for the first half of the season, but lost four of their last five games to finish sixth in the league table.

Taylor is currently out of action with a calf strain that he picked up on the second morning of the only Test against Zimbabwe in Napier in January. He missed the limited-overs games against South Africa but is expected to return to the side for the first Test that begins on March 7.

The Daredevils will be Taylor's third IPL team. He started out with Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he quickly became a fan favourite, but the franchise chose not to retain him ahead of last year's auction. The trading window for the 2012 IPL shuts at midnight tonight.