IPL 2018: Gautam Gambhir Steps Down as Delhi Daredevils' Skipper

Gautam Gambhir has stepped down as captain of Delhi Daredevils following the franchise’s dismal run in the season so far.

Shreyas Iyer will replace the former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper for the remainder of the season.

Gambhir, who had started his IPL career with Daredevils, returned to the national capital-based outfit this year after serving Knight Riders for seven seasons. He enjoyed a terrific time with the Kolkata-based outfit.

Under Gambhir’s captaincy, the Kolkata Knight Riders qualified for the IPL playoffs and also made it to the Champions League Twenty20 for the first time.

In the following season, he led the side to their first title in 2012 by defeating defending champions, Chennai Super Kings.

Two years later, he led the team to their second title, making the Knight Riders one of the most successful teams in the leagues. Even in the last season, he led the side to a third-place finish in the league.

Gambhir was equally impressive with the bat. One of the most successful batsmen in the history of the league, Gambhir was the batting mainstay for the Knight Riders since joining the side. In the seven seasons, he had scored 3,035 runs with the help of 27 half-centuries.

However, his fortunes with the Daredevils unfolded on a dismal note. In six games, the Daredevils won one and are languishing at the bottom of the points table. Gambhir’s performance with the bat has been equally poor.

In six matches, he has scored only 85 runs despite scoring a fifty in the season-opener.

Speaking after stepping down, Gambhir took the responsibility upon himself for the team’s poor start. He is also hopeful that the team can turn things around in the coming days.

“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,” he said.