Gautam Gambhir in action for Delhi Daredevils
Gautam Gambhir has stepped down from the captaincy of Delhi Daredevils following his team's horrid run in the ongoing edition of Indian Premier League (IPL). Batsman Shreyas Iyer will replace him as the new skipper of the Daredevils outfit for the remainder of the season. Delhi have played six games in the tournament so far, out of which they had lost five and won a single match against Mumbai Indians. The capital-based franchise is presently at the bottom of the points table at the eighth position.
"I take full responsibility for the position we are in. And looking at the position, I have decided to step down as captain. Shreyas Iyer will take over. I still feel we have the team to turn things around this", said Gambhir in a press conference.
Barring a stroke-filled half-century in the first match against Kings XI Punjab, Gambhir has managed to score only 30 runs in the remaining five matches of the tournament for Daredevils. DD head coach Ricky Ponting also gave his input about the news, he said: "Respect Gambhir for putting the team ahead of himself. I fully endorse Iyer as captain,"
On being quizzed about whether it was his decision or the decision of the management to sack him as captain, the 36-year old said: "It was my decision. I haven't contributed enough to the team. I had to take the responsibility being the leader of the ship. I feel it was the right time."
"Maybe I was too desperate to turn things around and that can backfire. It could be the reason. I just couldn't handle the pressure and when you don't do that, you have to own that up as a leader," Gambhir further added during the conference which was also attended by franchise CEO Hemant Dua and coach Ricky Ponting.
"I was sitting alone and thinking, I couldn't handle the pressure... I was not good enough and that is all," he added.
The 23-year-old Iyer is a top-order batsman and has scored two back-to-back half-centuries in losing causes.
On Gambhir's departure as DD skipper, CEO Hemant Dua said: "Dear All continuing where I left yesterday this decision by @GautamGambhir to step down as #Captain for the betterment of the team is legendary. Only the brave can take a call like this! Deserves full respect for this decision a first in #India cricket."
