Had The Vision To Lead Delhi In The Future: Shreyas Iyer Recalls How He Got The Captaincy From Gautam Gambhir

Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper, Shreyas Iyer reveals that he had set his eye on the captaincy of the Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) before Gautam Gambhir was made the leader of the side.

Ahead of the 2018 IPL season, the Delhi franchise changed its name from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals. They also roped in Gautam Gambhir who was let go from Kolkata Knight Riders after leading them to two IPL titles.

After losing 5 of the first 6 matches, Gambhir relinquished his captaincy and handed it to Iyer in the middle of the season. The team won 4 matches in their next 8 games. The decision has started to pay dividends as under Shreyas Iyer, Delhi made it to the playoff in IPL 2019 and reached their maiden final in IPL 2020.

I was already thinking of captaincy when I entered the IPL: Shreyas Iyer

While speaking with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube show ‘DRS with Ash’, Iyer revealed that while negotiating his price for retention with the franchise, he mentioned that money isn’t his priority. Still, he would like to lead the side someday.

The right-hander was then leading India A. Hence he had the vision and thoughts of being at the helm of the Delhi Capitals.

In the YouTube video, Shreyas Iyer said, “So, that was the first year. The new auction had happened and they had selected Gautam Gambhir as the captain. And they had retained me in the third position. So, when we were negotiating and they were asking me at what price I would like to be retained, I was like – ‘See, money doesn’t matter at this point in time. I am just looking forward to leading Delhi Capitals in the future.’ That is what exactly I had said.

“Because I was leading India A at that point of time. And that was my vision. I was already thinking as a captain when I entered the IPL in 2018. And I didn’t know that responsibility would be coming to me that year itself.”

Iyer was ready to take the responsibilities, and the opportunity was presented to him when Gambhir decided to step down mid-season. Currently, the 25-year-old has nearly cemented his spot in the national team at the number 4 position. If all goes well, Iyer is likely to feature in the three ICC World Cups in the next three years.

“But at the back of my mind, I was really ready that, if an opportunity comes, that I have to grab it with my hands and see to it that I do the best. And exactly that’s what happened that year. I don’t know what to say,” Shreyas Iyer said.

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