Daredevils sign up all-rounder Negi

Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils have signed up three domestic players, including a teenaged all-rounder, for the upcoming IPL season.

Delhi’s 19-year-old allrounder Pawan Negi and the batting duo of Manprit Juneja (Gujarat) and Kuldeep Chandrakant Raval (Saurashtra) will join the Daredevils in the season starting April 4.

“We are delighted to have signed up talented cricketers we spotted on the domestic circuit this season,” the team’s Mentor TA Sekar said in a statement.

“Together with picking up Kevin Pietersen this season, we have been taking the steps necessary for us to become a competitive squad again. We are confident that we will have the right mix of players to choose from for all our games this season.”

Delhi Daredevils also announced buying out former India all-rounder S Sriram, South African all-rounder Robert Frylinck, leg-spinner Vivek Yadav and left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar’s contracts.

Sriram, 35, played one game while the other three did not figure in any of the matches for Delhi Daredevils last season. Earlier, all-rounder Andrew McDonald was traded with Royal Challengers Bangalore.

“We were tracking 21-year-old Manprit Juneja from before he scored 201 on first class debut against Tamil Nadu. We are confident he will make his presence felt in the Delhi Daredevils squad and push real hard for a place in the middle-order this season,” Sekar said of the youngster.

Sekar said Negi’s ability to be nagging with the ball and an effective middle-order bat made him an exciting talent.

“He can be an effective left-handed all-rounder. He caught our eye when taking six wickets for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament at Lahli in Rohtak,” Sekar said.