Shreyas Iyer Clarifies 'Sourav Ganguly Remark' After Conflict Of Interest Controversy

Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer found himself in hot soup after making a remark on former team mentor Sourav Ganguly during their inaugural IPL 2020 fixture. Iyer told Simon Doull during the match that with guidance from Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting and Sourav Ganguly his task becomes easier.

His comments caused major furore across the social media with plenty of journalists questioning their concerns related to ‘conflict of issue’. “We would have bowled first as well. I have learned to take some responsibility, with the likes of Ponting and Ganguly, it makes my task a bit easier,” Iyer had told commentator Doull during the match.

However, later clarifying his remarks, Iyer said that his comment was to show his gratitude towards the role Ganguly and Ricky Ponting has played towards his personal growth as captain. “My comment yesterday was to emphasize my gratitude towards the role they both have played in my personal growth as a captain,” Iyer said in a tweet.

Earlier, the conflict of interest issue came to the fore against Ganguly for his dual role as the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and mentor of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. He had then stepped down from the role of Delhi Capitals head coach.

Ganguly is currently serving as the president of the cricket board. His term extension, due to the Covid-19 situation, is however hanging in the Supreme Court as he had to take a mandatory cooling off break.

IPL 2020 will be played entirely in UAE due to the pandemic situation forcing the cricket board to host the tournament away from India. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah will be the three venues used for the tournament. Dream 11 have been named as the sponsor for the upcoming season of the tournament after VIVO pulled out.