2 months after stepping down, Gautam Gambhir ready to return as captain

Gautam Gambhir is ready to be back as skipper. The left-handed opener may take up the mantle again --- just two months after he voluntarily quit captaincy of Delhi Daredevils in middle of IPL season--- starting this September.   

Gautam Gambhir is ready to be back as skipper. The left-handed opener may take up the mantle again --- just two months after he voluntarily quit captaincy of Delhi Daredevils in middle of IPL season--- starting this September.   

Speaking to Wah Cricket, Gambhir said he was very keen to continue playing domestic cricket this coming season for Delhi and would decide on his IPL and international future at a later stage. Responding specifically to a question pertaining captaincy, Gambhir said if it is handed over to him this season again, he wouldn’t be averse to it. “Not really thought about it, to be honest with you. I am just thinking about playing for Delhi and have a good season but I am not ruling it out altogether. If an opportunity arises for me to lead Delhi again, I will not rule that out for sure in the team’s interests.”

The captaincy debate arises because of a hectic international Test schedule for Team India, which effectively rules out last season’s regular skipper for Delhi Ishant Sharma. Gambhir relinquished his Delhi captaincy to make way for youngsters and in betterment of the Delhi team, keeping in mind his acrimonious relation with coach KP Bhaskar who was retained last season. Rishabh Pant was sacked from the hot seat by the selectors after Delhi lost the Ranji final while limited overs skipper Pradeep Sangwan may not yet be automatic selection in the XI.      

The Delhi Daredevils connection isn’t lost yet either, with Gambhir training with Rajinikanth who is contracted with the IPL franchise, to be fit for the season. “I am training hard these days but rains in Delhi make it difficult to hit nets. I am keeping myself absolutely in shape. I have clear plans for playing for Delhi this season as of now and am gearing up towards it.”

Meanwhile, the other point of interest is regarding Gambhir’s action plan for DDCA, where he is the government nominee and entrusted with preparing a blueprint to further improve cricketing activities. “I have plans and I am working towards it. We need to do something good that has never happened in Delhi cricket. Yes, that’s work in progress and I will have to first discuss it with the new management. I can’t sketch out timelines or give out any details yet, but it will all be announced soon,” Gambhir added.

The likes of Mithun Manhas, Rajat Bhatia and several young fresh faces are likely to figure in the scheme of things for Delhi in a series of decisions ahead of the new domestic season.