Sehwag fit for full Champions League

Virender Sehwag has recovered from his ankle injury and will be fit to play in Delhi Daredevils' opening Champions League 2012 match, against Kolkata Knight Riders, on Saturday. He had played in the franchise's warm-up game on Thursday, against Sydney Sixers.

Daredevils' team mentor, TA Sekar, confirmed that Sehwag was fit, and said that he had obtained fitness clearance before flying to South Africa. A BCCI official said the board had nothing to do with the decision to play Sehwag: "The BCCI has nothing to do with it. It is a franchise tournament and it is for them to take a call."

Sehwag was initially doubtful for the Champions League, after straining a ligament in his left ankle during India's Super Eights match in the World Twenty20 against South Africa in Colombo on October 2. He had gone off the field during South Africa's innings and did not return, and it was reported that he could require two weeks of rest.

His fitness has been suspect over the past year: after the 2011 World Cup he delayed a shoulder surgery, playing the IPL and subsequently missed India's tour of the West Indies and half of the Test series in England. Earlier this year, towards the end of the Australia tour, he had back spasms that forced the selectors to rest him for the Asia Cup.

Sehwag will not captain Delhi Daredevils at the Champions League, having asked the franchise to relieve him of the responsibility so he could concentrate on his batting.