Delhi Daredevils have roped in the former England skipper. The deal was closed on Sunday.
Kevin Pietersen has been on an India darshan in the name of Indian Premier League (IPL) — he has moved from Bangalore to Hyderabad and now to Delhi. He has been traded by Deccan Chargers for an astronomical amount. Delhi Daredevils have roped in the former England skipper. The deal was closed on Sunday.
It is one of the biggest transfers to have taken place in this year’s trading window, which has been open since December 15. The deal was done in same way as recent transfer of Dinesh Karthik to Mumbai Indians.
It is reliably learnt that the Delhi franchise gave an expression of intent for the England’s middle-order batsman and the Hyderabad team accepted the proposal. Pietersen, like Karthik, was never put on sale in the trading window.
The IPL authorities and the officials of the two franchises would not speak about the value of the deal but it is learnt that it was worth a whopping $ 2.3 million. “We can’t reveal the figures,” said IPL COO Sundar Raman.
As per the IPL rules, the transfer transactions are not reflected in the player purse. The Delhi officials can go to the February 4 auction with their full purse $ 2 million, intact. Pietersen was purchased by Hyderabad team for a meagre amount of $650,000 at the auction last year.
Pietersen, currently in Dubai for the forthcoming series against Pakistan, 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.
TA Sekar, head of the Delhi side, said Pietersen’s addition would strengthen their squad. “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 could not take part in IPL 4 due to hernia surgery. He is, however, likely to be available for part, if not full duration, of IPL 5. England are not scheduled to start their international summer assignment — against West Indies — till mid-May which means the 31-year-old South African born batsman could be available for at least a month. The IPL 5 starts on April 5.
Pietersen was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009 and 2010 editions and had led the RCB side in six games in 2009.
“Kevin is a quality player, and there is no doubt that he will be one of the players to watch out for. We wish him all the best,” Deccan Chargers CEO Venkat Reddy said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}