Shreyas takes over from Gambhir as Daredevils skipper

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Delhi Daredevils skipper Gautam Gambhir has fallen on his sword after a sub-par start to the Indian Premier League for his side.

Gambhir’s recommendation for his replacement, Shreyas Iyer, has been appointed skipper for the remainder of the 2018 IPL campaign.

The final straw for Gambhir was the Daredevils inability to chase down a modest target in their contest against the Kings XI Punjab.

Speaking to the press after stepping down Gambhir said: “I take full responsibility for where we are at the points table.

“I thought I hadn’t done enough. I needed to take the responsiblity as a leader. I felt this was the right time because we still have a chance. [It was] absolutely my decision. No pressure from the franchise.”

Daredevils coach Ricky Ponting still believes the team can turn around their season and go on to lift the trophy in May.

Ponting said: “We still have the potential to win the tournament. We have eight games in hand. There are lots of us who believe.”

The Daredevil’s only win in their six matches so far came in their third match against fellow basement boys the Mumbai Indians.

Ponting had sympathy for Gambhir having been in charge of a faltering team himself in the past.

The Aussie coach added: “Having been in the same situation many years ago, [I know it is a] tough decision to make… to put their hand up and say his performance has not been good enough. I would like to congratulate him for having put the team ahead of himself.”

The Daredevils will host the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on Friday (April 27).

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