Seven years and nineteen days - That’s how long the gap was from the day the Kolkata Knight Riders got Gautam Gambhir into their mix at the 2011 IPL auction, and the day DD finally brought him back home.
Literally a couple of hours – After buying Gambhir at the auction, that’s how long it took for a born leader, Ricky Ponting, to all but officially announce another born leader, Gautam Gambhir, as the captain of DD for the VIVO IPL 2018.
Though Gambhir’s captaincy was hinted at earlier, the official announcement came in on March 7. It wasn’t an impulsive decision by any stretch of imagination. Ricky Ponting, Gautam Gambhir and the DD management were already in talks ahead of the auction where Gautam expressed a genuine desire to ply his trade for his home franchise once again. And, who better to captain a side than a homeboy and a proven leader on a mission? It was Gambhir who wanted to move on from KKR and not the other way round. Let’s face it, why would anyone let him go?
Mr. Venky Mysore, CEO, KKR, mentioned that Gambhir approached the management to let them know that he wished to play at home again. The KKR management thoroughly respected his decision and kudos to them for that! All in all, the stalwart is back to lead DD and he’s more excited and determined than ever.
Similar Wavelengths
It’s a massive bonus when the captain and coach are on the same page about things and have similar ideologies. Fortunately for DD, Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting are cut from the same cloth. Both are fierce competitors, inspiring leaders, and winners. Ricky Ponting was all praise for Gambhir when he said “He has always proven himself to be one of the top leaders during his stint with other sides in the IPL. He has a big personality, but it is the drive behind the outward confidence which I think will inspire the rest of the team.”
It is also imperative for a captain to earn the respect of his peers. Ricky Ponting always commanded respect from his contemporaries and so does Gambhir. “He has the respect of the dressing room and the franchise is proud to have him as our captain,” added Ponting. When the team and the coach believe in the leader, things sort of just fall into place, don’t they? Also, it’s great for the young guns in the squad to be able to look up to both the captain and the coach.
Oozing Positivity
Gambhir has always had his priorities set straight. At the press meet that saw the announcement of the captain and the jersey reveal, Gambhir was asked a question which he has encountered numerous times before. A reporter enquired if he sees this VIVO IPL season as a potential platform for another comeback into the national squad. The answer had Gambhir written all over it, unapologetically straight forward and impactful.
“I get asked this question every year and ahead of every IPL,” said Gambhir with a wry smile. “You don’t play a tournament for a comeback, you play a tournament to win the tournament. The moment you think that this tournament is for my comeback you’re thinking with an individual mindset, and if you think with an individual mindset, you can’t win tournaments.”
Spoken like a true champion. He’s got no ulterior motives. He takes the cricket field time and again for one reason – to win. That kind of an attitude is bound to have positive repercussions. The selflessness rubs off on teammates, it’s infectious. It’s also just what DD needs at the moment, a leader to show them the way.
The Fans Couldn’t Be Happier
To say that the fans are excited about Gambhir’s return as captain would be a huge understatement. The date of the big announcement was disclosed with about a week to go for the event. Since then, fans have flooded DD’s official social media accounts. It wasn’t officially announced yet, but the fans thought “Who else but GG?” And boy, were they right!
Gautam Gambhir the new captain
of Delhi Daredevils. 😎🔥— Team Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir97) March 4, 2018
No doubt about @GautamGambhir Captaincy😎
— Pranav (@Pranavd1212) March 4, 2018
The overwhelmingly positive response on the day of the announcement gave us goosebumps! The fans were on cloud nine and why wouldn’t they be?
It's the Best thing happened to Delhi Daredevils and we are overwhelmed to see him coming back once again… Definitely he's going to change the Fortunes of the team from this season. 😇
— Aditya Yellanki (@adityayellanki) March 8, 2018
We feel great 😄 This is what he wanted and we will support him ❤️
— Team Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir97) March 8, 2018
After largely disappointing seasons in the last few years, the return of one of Delhi’s favourites was just what the fans required. “It is a huge honour to once again captain DD. I firmly believe that with the players currently involved we have the makings of a very good side. The potential of this group of players is immense and it is now up to us to turn that potential into consistent performances,” said Gambhir.
Gambhir is back as skipper. The squad assembled is excellent. This season, the fans have good reason to believe! Don’t take our word for it, take Gambhir’s.
Seven years and nineteen days - That’s how long the gap was from the day the Kolkata Knight Riders got Gautam Gambhir into their mix at the 2011 IPL auction, and the day DD finally brought him back home.
Literally a couple of hours – After buying Gambhir at the auction, that’s how long it took for a born leader, Ricky Ponting, to all but officially announce another born leader, Gautam Gambhir, as the captain of DD for the VIVO IPL 2018.
Though Gambhir’s captaincy was hinted at earlier, the official announcement came in on March 7. It wasn’t an impulsive decision by any stretch of imagination. Ricky Ponting, Gautam Gambhir and the DD management were already in talks ahead of the auction where Gautam expressed a genuine desire to ply his trade for his home franchise once again. And, who better to captain a side than a homeboy and a proven leader on a mission? It was Gambhir who wanted to move on from KKR and not the other way round. Let’s face it, why would anyone let him go?
Mr. Venky Mysore, CEO, KKR, mentioned that Gambhir approached the management to let them know that he wished to play at home again. The KKR management thoroughly respected his decision and kudos to them for that! All in all, the stalwart is back to lead DD and he’s more excited and determined than ever.
Similar Wavelengths
It’s a massive bonus when the captain and coach are on the same page about things and have similar ideologies. Fortunately for DD, Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting are cut from the same cloth. Both are fierce competitors, inspiring leaders, and winners. Ricky Ponting was all praise for Gambhir when he said “He has always proven himself to be one of the top leaders during his stint with other sides in the IPL. He has a big personality, but it is the drive behind the outward confidence which I think will inspire the rest of the team.”
It is also imperative for a captain to earn the respect of his peers. Ricky Ponting always commanded respect from his contemporaries and so does Gambhir. “He has the respect of the dressing room and the franchise is proud to have him as our captain,” added Ponting. When the team and the coach believe in the leader, things sort of just fall into place, don’t they? Also, it’s great for the young guns in the squad to be able to look up to both the captain and the coach.
Oozing Positivity
Gambhir has always had his priorities set straight. At the press meet that saw the announcement of the captain and the jersey reveal, Gambhir was asked a question which he has encountered numerous times before. A reporter enquired if he sees this VIVO IPL season as a potential platform for another comeback into the national squad. The answer had Gambhir written all over it, unapologetically straight forward and impactful.
“I get asked this question every year and ahead of every IPL,” said Gambhir with a wry smile. “You don’t play a tournament for a comeback, you play a tournament to win the tournament. The moment you think that this tournament is for my comeback you’re thinking with an individual mindset, and if you think with an individual mindset, you can’t win tournaments.”
Spoken like a true champion. He’s got no ulterior motives. He takes the cricket field time and again for one reason – to win. That kind of an attitude is bound to have positive repercussions. The selflessness rubs off on teammates, it’s infectious. It’s also just what DD needs at the moment, a leader to show them the way.
The Fans Couldn’t Be Happier
To say that the fans are excited about Gambhir’s return as captain would be a huge understatement. The date of the big announcement was disclosed with about a week to go for the event. Since then, fans have flooded DD’s official social media accounts. It wasn’t officially announced yet, but the fans thought “Who else but GG?” And boy, were they right!
Gautam Gambhir the new captain
of Delhi Daredevils. 😎🔥— Team Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir97) March 4, 2018
No doubt about @GautamGambhir Captaincy😎
— Pranav (@Pranavd1212) March 4, 2018
The overwhelmingly positive response on the day of the announcement gave us goosebumps! The fans were on cloud nine and why wouldn’t they be?
It's the Best thing happened to Delhi Daredevils and we are overwhelmed to see him coming back once again… Definitely he's going to change the Fortunes of the team from this season. 😇
— Aditya Yellanki (@adityayellanki) March 8, 2018
We feel great 😄 This is what he wanted and we will support him ❤️
— Team Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir97) March 8, 2018
After largely disappointing seasons in the last few years, the return of one of Delhi’s favourites was just what the fans required. “It is a huge honour to once again captain DD. I firmly believe that with the players currently involved we have the makings of a very good side. The potential of this group of players is immense and it is now up to us to turn that potential into consistent performances,” said Gambhir.
Gambhir is back as skipper. The squad assembled is excellent. This season, the fans have good reason to believe! Don’t take our word for it, take Gambhir’s.
