Sehwag quits Delhi captaincy
22/09/2009 11:44 AM
Virender Sehwag has stepped down as captain of Delhi Daredevils less than a month before he was due to lead them at the inaugural Champions League Twenty20.
Sehwag will be replaced as skipper by his Indian opening partner Gautam Gambhir who is expected to retain the role for next year's Indian Premier League.
Sehwag has only recently returned from the shoulder injury he sustained during the IPL earlier this year and the 30-year-old said he had stood down to concentrate on his batting.
"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 welcomed the decision to hand the captaincy to Gambhir, adding: "Gautam did a great job of captaining Delhi and also during IPL 2 in South Africa this year."
"He has shown very good leadership skills and will bring fresh energy into the Delhi Daredevils."
Delhi will play the first match of its Champions League campaign at its Feroz Shah Kotla home stadium against the Victoria Bushrangers on October 9.