What’s Better Than Ending My Career Where It Started: Gambhir

Video Editors: Mohd Irshad & Sandeep Suman

There’s only one place Gautam Gambhir wants to end his Indian Premier League (IPL) career, and it’s with the team where it all began. And that is why is the 36-year-old cricketer is back home as captain of the Delhi Daredevils franchise for the 11th and upcoming edition of the IPL.

The Delhi batsman, who spent seven long years with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and led the team to two IPL titles, said he had always wanted to come back.

I always wanted to come back and play for Delhi. I had mentioned it about a year ago that it would be good if I could come back and finish my career here. The auction is unpredictable and I had my fingers crossed, hoping I’d be able to play for Delhi again.

Gautam Gambhir, Delhi Daredevils Captain

KKR had received some flak for neither retaining nor bidding for their former skipper in this year’s IPL auction. However, the franchise’s CEO Venky Mysore was quick to clarify that it was in fact Gautam who had requested KKR not to retain him for upcoming season.

What can be better for a cricketer than to finish things where he started. Ultimately, IPL is a tournament where cricketers play for several franchises. I have had the luxury of playing for just two franchises. First for Delhi, then KKR, and now Delhi again. It’s always good to be back to a place where I’ve played all my life.

Gautam Gambhir, Delhi Daredevils Captain

Delhi Daredevils, who are yet to win a title after 10 editions, have got star cricketers like Chris Morris, Glenn Maxwell, Gambhir, Jason Roy and Kagiso Rabada in their squad this year. But this problem of plenty is what Gambhir things is the biggest challenge for him as captain.

That is the biggest challenge of captaincy, especially in the IPL. There’s so much of talent. Eighteen foreign players are available but only four can play. There are about 16-17 domestic players of which only seven can play. So there’s so much talent but very few opportunities.

Gautam Gambhir, Delhi Daredevils Captain

When asked to pick one player he’s looking forward to work with, Gambhir was clear that it is unlike him to talk about individuals. “Every individual contributes in his on way to a win,” said the DD skipper.

I don’t like talking about individuals. I’m looking forward to the entire 25 people in the squad. Those will be the 25 people who will help us win the tournament. Everyone will contribute in their own way and it’s not only about the playing eleven. It’s about the other 14 players as well.

Gautam Gambhir, Delhi Daredevils Captain

Gambhir also said that former Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s appointment as head coach of the Delhi Daredevils team would a great advantage for him as captain.

“He has seen every kind of situation. He’s won the World Cup twice or thrice. He’s seen ups and downs as player and captain,” said Gambhir.

When a winner comes in your group it’s important for any cricketer. He knows how to approach every situation. He knows how to improve a player’s form or how to maintain a player’s good form. Having a cricketer like that in your group is a big advantage for any captain.

Gautam Gambhir, Delhi Daredevils Captain