IPL 2018: I Would Have Played Had I been Picked, Reveals Gautam Gambhir

The move to sit out from the playing XI came in the aftermath of his poor run of form, post his half-century against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at Mohali.

Also, the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra were warming the benches in the dugout, waiting for an opening in the XI.

In his recent piece for Hindustan Times, Gambhir reflected on his failure to lead Daredevils, and the reasons for them finishing at the bottom of the IPL 2018 table.

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Gambhir came back to his initial franchise after a successful stint at Kolkata Knight Riders (DD). He revealed that he did not feature in the second half of the tournament, as he was not picked.

“A lot of people asked me why I didn’t play after stepping down from captaincy. My reply is simple: I would have played had I been picked. A lot of people also ask me where did we go wrong. It is simple again: injuries to key players like Rabada and Morris,” Gambhir revealed.

Further, Gambhir points out their bowling, succumbing under pressure, and discovering the right combinations as the reasons for their dismal performance.

Also, the poor form of their key players such as Jason Roy, Glenn Maxwell and Colin Munro did not help Daredevils’ cause this season.

“Inability to build the right team combination, certain players not clicking, the team not playing important moments well and also the inability to handle pressure are all reasons for our failure,” Gambhir wrote in his column.

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“I have always believed it is bowlers who win you games whatever be the format. I think we lacked there,” reckons the former Indian international.

Liked the way Dinesh Karthik led KKR: Gambhir

Despite Daredevils struggling to succeed in the competition, Gambhir can take some heart out of the way his team finished in the competition. They spoilt the party of heavyweights Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in between.

Gautam Gambhir signed off by claiming that he would be supporting his former franchise Knight Riders in playoffs.

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“Well, I am firmly in the KKR camp. Besides my emotional attachment to my erstwhile team. I think the ‘purples’ have the experience of playing big games. I have liked the way Dinesh Karthik has led the group,” Gambhir concluded.