It will be a big setback for Delhi as Pietersen will be forced to sit out of the lung-opener because of a finger injury which is yet to heal completely. He is also a doubtful starter for the second game as well.
Pietersen, who was bought by Daredevils for USD 1.5 million (Rs 9 crore), had sustained an injury on his right hand little finger during fielding drills with Surrey at the Oval last month.
After a miserable 2013 - the Mahela Jayawardene-led DD finished last - Daredevils surely would want to turn their fortunes under new coach Gary Kirsten and the talented Pietersen.
England's all-time leading run-scorer across all formats, Pietersen, 33, will now be available for a full IPL season for the first time following the end of his international career.
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With the hard-working wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik and South Africa's Jean-Paul Duminy as value additions in the new squad, Delhi are looking prepared and raring to go.
The team's best finish was the runners-up trophy in 2011 but did not go beyond the qualifying stages in the 2013 season.