Under Gambhir’s captaincy, Delhi reached the 2018/19 Vijay Hazare Trophy finals losing to Mumbai. Last year, it was a great journey as Delhi reached the 2017/18 Ranji Trophy finals. In last year’s Ranji Trophy, Gambhir scored 683 runs from 9 matches (12 innings) with 3 centuries and 2 half centuries.
The veteran player, Gautam Gambhir has decided to step down Delhi captaincy post before their opening match against Himachal Pradesh at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, New Delhi from 12th November.
It is unclear that Gambhir would play all the matches for Delhi in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. Nitish Rana is a young left-handed batsman who has played 24 First-class matches and scored 1574 runs with an average of 46.29, the best score of 174. Dhurv Shorey has been named as vice-captain.
Gambhir made his first-class debut for Delhi in the 1999/2000 season. Since then he has played so far 195 matches and scored 14887 runs with an average of 49.29, the best score of 233 not out. He has played 299 List A matches and 251 T20 matches for Delhi.
Time to pass the captaincy baton to youngsters, hence have requested the DDCA selectors not to consider me for that role. I will be in the background helping the new leader to win games @RajatSharmaLive
— Gautam Gambhir (Modi Ka Parivar) (@GautamGambhir) November 5, 2018
Gambhir has featured for India in 58 test matches, 147 One day internationals and 37 T20I’s. In the 58 test matches he has played so far, the left-handed batsman scored 4154 runs with an average of 41.95 with the best score of 206. He played his last match against England in 2016 at Rajkot.
Gambhir scored so far 5238 runs with an average of 39.68, the best score of 150 not out. He played a key role in helping India win the ICC World Cup 2011 with an important knock in the finals at Wankedhe Stadium, Mumbai. His last ODI match was against England in 2013.
He also played a key role in India winning the ICC World T20 2007 held in South Africa. In T20I format, Gambhir played 37 matches and scored 932 runs with the best score of 75.
Delhi Daredevils named Gautam Gambhir as the captain at the start of the season but due to poor form and captaincy burden, he decided to step down from captaincy post in the middle of the season, also did not play matches for Delhi Daredevils.
In the 2018/19 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Gambhir was the 2nd leading runs getter with 518 runs from 10 matches ( 10 innings) with an average of 51.80. He hit 2 centuries and 1 half century.
Gautam Gambhir led Kolkata Knight Riders to 2 IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir will be hoping to play with the free mind and guide the young Delhi side.