IPL 2018: Gautam Gambhir steps down as Delhi Daredevils skipper, Shreyas Iyer appointed to the role

Sport360 staff 15:05 25/04/2018
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  • Gambhir has decided to step down. Image - IPL/Twitter.

    Delhi DaredevilsGautam Gambhir has decided to step down from the captaincy of the franchise after the side’s poor start to the IPL season.

    The Delhi-based outfit have won just one and lost five matches in their campaign so far and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the eight-team table.

    In a press conference on Wednesday attended by Gambhir and head coach Ricky Ponting, the outfit announced young Shreyas Iyer as the new skipper of the side.

    “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,” a visibly dejected Gambhir said at the press-conference.

    “It was absolutely my decision. I was the one who initiated the meeting (with the owners). I thought that I haven’t contributed enough and the same time, the performance of the team (has been poor). I had to take responsibility for being the leader of the ship. It was the right time to step down,” the 36-year-old added.

    “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 explained further.

    Gambhir had joined the Delhi franchise after leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles but his return to his hometown hasn’t been a happy one with the Daredevils struggling in all departments.

    “I fully respect Gambhir for putting the team ahead of himself. I fully endorse Iyer as captain,” Ponting said on his part.

    23-year-old Iyer has been one of the rare bright spots in Delhi’s horrendous run with the youngster notching up two fifties so far in the six matches.

    “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,” Iyer said after being appointed to the role.

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