Big reveal from Gautam Gambhir about Delhi Daredevils' team selection during Indian Premier League 2018.
One of the biggest disappointments of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 was Gautam Gambhir's decline from captain to substitute. After leading Kolkata Knight Riders to two tiltes, Gambhir returned to his 'home team' Delhi Daredevils (DD) in IPL 2018.
Sadly for him, though, the results in the initial stages didn't go his way and he was promptly replaced by young Shreyas Iyer as skipper.
However, what took fans by surprise was Gambhir's ommission from the playing XI for the rest of the tournament. Many felt that with DD finishing last on the points table in the league, Gambhir could've surely been given a look at some point.
Addressing these concerns among his fans, Gambhir opened up about his stint with DD in IPL 11. "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," Gambhir wrote in a column for Hindustan Times.
The 36-year-old also clarified rumours suggesting he's going to retire. "It is widely speculated that I am retiring from the game and contesting elections in Delhi and District Cricket Association. Both are not true. I am still keen to play and win games for my teams," he said.
At the time Gambhir had stepped down as captain of DD, he had said it was entirely his decision. "This is entirely my decision. I wasn't pressurised into taking it. I feel it's my responsibility as a senior to think about what's best for the team. And at this point, I reckon it's better if someone else leads the side," he had said.
"May be I was too desperate to turn things around and that can backfire. It could be the reason. I just couldn't handle the pressure and when you don't do that, you have to own that up as a leader. I was sitting alone and thinking, I couldn't handle the pressure... I was not good enough and that is all. I've set certain standards for myself and I haven't been able to live up to them. Bells started ringing in my head after the last defeat. I even spoke with my wife and we decided it's best to put up your hand and take responsibility," he added.
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 "Gautam Gambhir during IPL 2018")
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