New Delhi, Mar 15 Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag today insisted that his is a balanced side even though they could afford the Australian tour hero Ishant Sharma because of his "high price".

Sehwag said the gangling fast bowler was among players he listed but decided not to bid for him because the franchisee would not have got other top players the team wanted.

"We wanted Ishant but the team budget forced us to decide against going for him. His bid price had soared up. We have to spend a lot more on the icon player (Sehwag himself) and had we bid for him and we would not have got some other big stars," Sehwag said.

"I would not call it (not getting Ishant) a loss but it would have been great if he was in our team. I am happy that he was taken by Kolkata on a big sum," the dashing batsman said at a press conference to announce Hero Honda as official partner and sponsor.

Kingfisher will be the associate sponsor and sports shoes major Adidas the apparel sponsor.

Delhi Daredevils also approached local player left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra who was acquired by Sachin Tendulkar's Mumbai Indians.

"We approached him but I think he was offered more money by the Mumbai team than we had offered to him." Sehwag shot down suggestions that Delhi Daredevils was comparatively a weak team than others.

"Our team combination is good, it is a balance side. We have very good batsmen, brilliant bowlers and excellent all-rounders. It is young side. Leaving a few, most of the players are young and I think we have the best fielding side of all the IPL teams," he said. (Agencies)