Sehwag quits as Daredevils captain

Virender Sehwag has stepped down as captain of Delhi Daredevils, the franchise said on Monday. Sehwag is coming out of a shoulder injury and said he wanted to focus on his batting. Gautam Gambhir will lead Delhi in next month's Champions League Twenty20, and is expected to remain captain in next year's IPL, with wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik as his deputy.

"I would like to thank GMR [the franchise owners] for their understanding in accepting my request to step down," Sehwag said. "Personally, I would like to concentrate on my own batting and contribute to the team."

Sehwag, 30, said he had full faith in Gambhir, who had captained the side during the second edition of the IPL and had also been a Ranji Trophy-winning captain for Delhi. "Gautam did a great job of captaining Delhi and also during IPL 2 in South Africa this year," Sehwag said. "He has shown very good leadership skills and will bring fresh energy into the Delhi Daredevils."

Gambhir, on his part, said he would draw from his experience of leading Delhi on the domestic circuit. "I am delighted at my selection as captain of Delhi Daredevils and I am committed to deliver my best," Gambhir said. "I have led Delhi in the past and it was an enriching experience. Hopefully, I can put into practice all that I have learnt.

"I have always looked up to Viru [Sehwag]. He has been a guide and friend for me. It is always difficult to fit into the shoes of someone as illustrious as him. I can always turn to him for any advice, as also to the other seniors in the team. We have had great camaraderie in the side and this will help us reach greater heights."

'I don't want to be captain' - Sehwag

	'I want that I should continue to score runs and keep winning matches for the team' © AFP
Related Links Players/Officials: Virender Sehwag Series/Tournaments: Champions League Twenty20 Teams: Delhi Daredevils | India

Indian batsman Virender Sehwag has said he doesn't want to lead the team and suggested that a new face be given the vice-captain's responsibility, so that he can be groomed to take over the reins after captain MS Dhoni.

"I don't want to be a captain, I have already told selectors about it. I have said that a new player should be made vice-captain and be groomed to be a captain," Sehwag told Indian news channel News24. "I want that I should continue to score runs and keep winning matches for the team."

Sehwag, 30, was appointed vice-captain in October 2005, with Rahul Dravid replacing Sourav Ganguly as captain. A dip in Sehwag's form in 2006-07 resulted in VVS Laxman assuming the vice-captaincy responsibilities in Tests, albeit for a brief period. Sachin Tendulkar was appointed deputy for the 2007 World Cup before the position went to Dhoni soon after.

And it was only when Dhoni became captain in all three formats, the last being for Tests after Anil Kumble's retirement in November last year, that Sehwag regained the vice-captaincy. But a shoulder injury for Sehwag in the lead-up to the World Twenty20 in June this year resulted in the deputy's position going to Yuvraj Singh. However, Sehwag hoped to regain his fitness completely before turning out for the Delhi Daredevils in the Champions League, beginning on October 8.

Sehwag also considered Ganguly as the best leader he had played under. "Sourav Ganguly has been the best captain India ever had," Sehwag said. "Sourav took over as captain of the India cricket team when it was going through a very bad patch. The Indian team was struggling to put come out of the match-fixing scandal. He had a responsibility to put together a new team and he did a splendid job."