IPL 2018: Leaving Captaincy Was About Taking Moral Responsibility - Gautam Gambhir
Published - 20 May 2018, 10:17 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:51 PM
Delhi Daredevils’ (DD) cricketer Gautam Gambhir has revealed that he stepped down as the skipper following team’s poor form. However, the southpaw has insisted that he has not self-doubt over his game.
The 36-year-old has been one of the standout performers for India over a decade before losing his place to youngsters. However, he hit a new low after dropping himself from the team for the benefit of Delhi.
Despite his absence, the Delhi side could not change their fortunes as they were the first side to be eliminated from the league this season.
Newly-appointed captain Shreyas Iyer looked promising but had failed to lead his side to playoffs after their inconsistent performances. Despite being dropped from the side, Gambhir has revealed that he will continue playing cricket after this IPL season.
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“If I would have had any self-doubt, I would definitely not have played this game. I would have retired from playing cricket,” Gambhir told Sports Tak.
Speaking about why he stepped down as skipper of Delhi Daredevils after just six IPL games, Gambhir said:
“It was all about taking the moral responsibility because you come to a franchise thinking you gonna turn it around.”
Gambhir was also frustrated following his low string of scorers at the top.
“It was the sixth game when I decided to step down. I wanted to give the next one a chance. Had I stepped down after the seventh or eighth game, I was only doing damage control. It is not about doing damage control,” Gambhir asserted.
Shreyas Iyer looked little inexperienced in his role as skipper for the side. However, the young Indian cricketer could definitely become a better captain with more exposure as a leader in next edition.
“It is about giving next one an opportunity to try and turn it around. We had the opportunity to make it to the playoffs as well. It was not about we were out of the competition and then giving it to someone to do damage control. This is not how I have ever thought about the game,” Gambhir said.
Delhi Daredevils Could Not Turn Their Luck
The only side to never reach an IPL final, Daredevils could not change their fortunes yet again this season. They are set to finish in the last position once again in IPL 2018.
However, the team has plenty of positives to take into the next season with Gautam Gambhir somewhat setting an example.
They have a bunch of young cricketers who are proving their potential this season. These youngsters could return back with more experience next season and could help Delhi reach the final in the coming years.
