Gautam Gambhir
India international Gautam Gambhir would lead Delhi Daredevils in the IPL 2018. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Gautam Gambhir has returned to his hometown based IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils after a gap of seven years.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain had played for Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous IPL seasons.

Gambhir led the Kolkata based franchise to two IPL title in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir has been named as the captain of Delhi Daredevils. Image Courtesy: Twitter

KKR did not retain the left-handed opening batsman in the IPL retention 2018.

The overlooked Indian batsman has been in average form off late. Gambhir has played 148 matches and has scored 4132 runs at an average of 31.78.

Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir also has an impressive record with the bat in the IPL. Photo by Ron Gaunt – Sportzpics – IPL

Gambhir has a great experience of leading a side in the Indian Premier League, as he led Kolkata Knight Riders in the past six seasons.

The Daredevils will try to extract most out of Gambhir’s leadership quality, as they have appointed him as their leader for the upcoming season of the IPL.

Ricky Ponting, Gautam Gambhir
Ricky Ponting is the head coach of Delhi Daredevils. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

However, in Gambhir’s first interview since the franchise revealed him as their captain, the Delhi boy said having two-time World Cup winning captain in their ranks will be a huge advantage for them.

“I think Ricky Ponting is coming to a winning group, three times he has been a part of a World Cup-winning team. As a player and as a captain he has seen ups and downs. He has captained Australia for a very long time. It is important for any player if a winner comes to your side. He has seen every kind of situation and knows how to take best out of any player. It is an advantage for any captain if a coach like him comes to the team,”

The left-handed opener also expressed his happiness on returning to the Delhi based franchise.

“I always wanted to come back and play for Delhi again. A year back, I mentioned somewhere that it would be good that if I can come back to Delhi and finish my career here. An auction is something that is very unpredictable, was keeping my fingers crossed as well that I can play for Delhi, it is good to be back.” 

Gautam Gambhir, Ricky Ponting
The Australian team was lethal under Ricky Ponting’s leadership. (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)

Gambhir also expressed the team will have to perform as a whole to get the desired results.

“I don’t like talking about individuals, it is unfair for me as a captain to talk about one player to whom I am looking forward to. I am looking forward to the entire 25 people in the squad. Those are the 25 people who are going help us win the tournament,”

“Everyone will contribute in their own way. It is not just about the playing XI, it is about the rest of the 14 players as well. They will try and contribute in whatever way they can. All the contributions play a very important role if you want to go all the way,”

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