Gautam Gambhir Steps Down as Delhi Ranji Captain, Nitish Rana Takes Charge

Veteran cricketer Gautam Gambhir has decided to step down from captaincy role for the ongoing Ranji Trophy tournament for his state team Delhi. Meanwhile, Gambhir recently led Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Riding on an impressive performance from their bowlers, Delhi managed to enter into the Vijay Hazare Trophy final. They had beaten Jharkhand by a margin of two wickets in Bengaluru in the semi-finals.

Gautam Gambhir would like to work as an observer for the DDCA.

The Delhi squad, for the first match, scheduled on November 12 at the Firoz Shah Kotla will be named later on Monday. Nitish Rana has replaced the veteran Gautam Gambhir as the captain of Delhi’s Ranji Trophy side.

“Gautam has intimated the state team’s chief selector Amit Bhandari that he would like to opt out of captaincy. He suggested that someone younger be groomed for the job. Nitish Rana will lead the side and Dhruv Shorey will be his deputy,” a senior office-bearer of the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) told PTI.

Moreover, this decision also indicates Gautam Gambhir might not play competitive cricket for a long time. However, with the absence of Rishabh Pant and Shikhar Dhawan due to international duties, Gambhir’s presence will matter a lot.

Gautam Gambhir took it to Twitter to reveal he would step down from leadership role of Delhi team in Ranji Trophy. He wants to give opportunities to the youngster and Nitish Rana will take over the captaincy reins. Rana will lead his side with the presence of veteran Gambhir in the Ranji Trophy.

Gautam Gambhir post read, “Time to pass the captaincy baton to youngsters, hence have requested the DDCA selectors not to consider me for that role. I will be in the background helping the new leader to win games @RajatSharmaLive”

Time to pass the captaincy baton to youngsters, hence have requested the DDCA selectors not to consider me for that role. I will be in the background helping the new leader to win games @RajatSharmaLive

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 5, 2018

Gautam Gambhir had played his last Test match in November 2016 against Australia. Moreover, he played his last ODI in January 2013 and T20I in 2012 for the Indian team.