Pietersen joins Daredevils from Hyderabad

MUMBAI, January 8: The Indian Premier League (IPL) today announced the third transfer of the 2012 Trading window.  Kevin Pietersen, belligerent batsman and former England captain, will move from Deccan Chargers to Delhi Daredevils for the 2012 season of the tournament.

GMR Sports' Head (Cricket) TA Sekar said Pietersen's addition would strengthen the Delhi Daredevils squad

this season. "We are pleased to add Kevin to our line-up. He brings rich experience and an explosive quality to our batting and can be a more than handy off-spinner as well. We are sure that Kevin will help us to be very competitive this season and the Delhi Daredevils fans will enjoy this addition."

Pietersen, 31, said he was excited at the prospect of joining a team that includes the likes of skipper Virender Sehwag and David Warner. "I am looking forward to a wonderful time with the Delhi Daredevils. It will be a great experience to be playing in the same squad as Sehwag," he said.

Pietersen was acquired by the Deccan Chargers in the 2011 IPL auction. However, he could not participate in the tournament due to a surgery.  He had earlier been a part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru outfit, in the 2009 and 2010 editions of the annual tournament, and had led RCB in six games in 2009.

 “Kevin Pietersen is a quality player, and there is no doubt that he will be one of the players to watch out for, in the coming edition of the IPL. We wish him all the best,” Deccan Chargers CEO Venkat Reddy said.

 “The Delhi Daredevils squad will be bolstered by the entry of Kevin Pietersen. It is great to see the Franchises in the process of strategising for the upcoming tournament. We are in for a cracker of a competition in April-May,” Rajeev Shukla, Chairman, IPL, said.