Sehwag upbeat about Daredevil's chances

Virender Sehwag, who will captain the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, felt his side had a good balance despite missing out on Ishant Sharma, the Delhi fast bowler who made a fine impression during India's recent tour to Australia.

Sehwag said Ishant was among the players he had short-listed but decided against the bid because of the "high price" attached to him. Ishant, who was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping US$ 950,000, is the costliest bowlers in the IPL.

"We wanted Ishant but the team budget forced us to decide against going for him," Sehwag said. "His bid price had soared up. We have to spend a lot more on the icon player [Sehwag himself] and had we bid for him and we would not have got some other big stars.

"I would not call it a loss but it would have been great if he was in our team. I am happy that he was taken by Kolkata on a big sum."

Sehwag spoke about the allround capabilities of his side, one filled with utility players. "Our team combination is good, it is a balance side," he said. "We have very good batsmen, brilliant bowlers and excellent allrounders. It is young side. Leaving a few, most of the players are young and I think we have the best fielding side of all the IPL teams."

The squad has eight international stars - Glenn McGrath, Daniel Vettori, Shoaib Malik, AB de Villiers, Mohammad Asif, Farvez Maharoof, Tillekaratne Dilshan and Brett Geeves - but Sehwag said he is confident that the team members would gel.

"We did not want any superstars in the team,' he said. "We have quite a few youngsters from the domestic cricket. I am happy that we gave chance to these youngsters and at the same time I will be leading players most of whom I know and played along or against. I am a professional and have played international cricket for some years. A captain takes decision on the field and players have to go by it."

Sehwag, who will open the innings, also revealed that he was keen to lead the Delhi side. "I grew up here and wanted to play for Delhi and not for any other team. Had I not been made the icon player I could have been landed up in any other team. So I had asked the owner to make the arrangements," said the 29-year-old batsman.

Meanwhile,GMR Holding, the owners of the Delhi side, have announced that two-wheeler company Hero Honda will be its main sponsor, while sportswear company Adidas will design the uniforms of the team.

The Delhi Daredevils play their first game against Rajasthan Royals on April 19 at the Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi.