Explosive opener Virender Sehwag today stepped down as the captain of Indian Premier League team Delhi Daredevils, which appointed Gautam Gambhir as his replacement.

Sehwag, who is currently nursing a shoulder injury, cited his desire to focus on his batting as the reason for stepping down.

Gambhir will now lead the side in next month's Champions League Twenty20.

"Viru has been a source of great strength and inspiration to the team. When he expressed a desire to step down in order to fully focus and concentrate on batting, we respected his decision and accepted his request," Daredevils owner GMR's chairman Srinivas Bommidala said in a statement.

Dinesh Karthik has been appointed Gambhir's deputy.

Sehwag thanked GMR for accepting his request, saying he would now solely focus on his batting.

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

"Gautam did a great job of captaining Delhi and also during IPL-II in South Africa this year. He has shown very good leadership skills and will bring fresh energy into the Delhi Daredevils," he added.