After a disastrous start to this season’s Indian Premier League (IPL), Gautham Gambhir has stepped down as captain of the Delhi Daredevils franchise. Middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer has been named as the new captain.
"I take full responsibility for the position we are in. And looking at the position, I have decided to step down as captain. Iyer will take over. I still feel we have the team to turn things around this IPL. It was absolutely my decision. The management didn't pressurise at all. It was the right time to step down," Gambhir said while addressing the media in Delhi.
The Daredevils are currently languishing at the bottom of the IPL table after managing only a solitary win in their first six games.
Gambhir, who was talismanic with the bat for his previous franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders, and was expected to change the fortunes of his home franchise and replicate KKR’s fine record in the tournament, has endured a torrid time with the bat this season.
He started the season well by scoring 55 in Delhi’s opening game of the tournament against the Kings XI Punjab. Since then, the left-handed opener has had a dismal run of form and has managed just 30 runs in his next 4 innings that included scores of 15, 8, 3 and 4.
This is Gambhir's second stint with his home franchise. He captained the team to a fifth-place finish back in 2010 and his move ahead of this year’s tournament was met with a lot of fanfare. But DD’s poor start to the tournament has left many of the fans extremely disappointed.
After the decision was taken, Shreyas Iyer spoke to the media about his new role with the team. “I want to thank the management and my coaches for appointing me as the captain of the team. It is a great honour for me.”
In his first assignment as captain, Shreyas Iyer will lead the team against Gambhir’s former team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, on Friday, April 27.