Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The story of Delhi Capitals has been nothing short of an inspiration to any struggler. The team, which usually found itself in the lower half of the points table by 2018 IPL, has been just another great force at the marquee event to reckon with since 2019, a year after Shreyas Iyer replaced Gautam Gambhir as the captain of the team.
In 2019, Delhi finished at the number 3 spot and Iyer was deservedly awarded the captaincy again next year. The following edition saw Delhi Capitals entering the final of the mega event for the first time ever in the history of the Indian Premier League. Though Mumbai Indians outplayed them in the 2020 finale to take home their 5th cup, Iyer, for sure, had made a permanent place for himself as captain in the Delhi franchise.
As fate would have it, Iyer injured his shoulder ahead of the 15th edition of IPL and got ruled out of the entire season. Rishabh Pant was announced as his replacement for the captaincy duties. However, a twist came into the tale again when IPL 2021 got postponed midway and could only resume on September 19, by the time Iyer completes his recovery and comes back to the team.
These small things matter a lot: Rajat Bhatia
Many believed that Iyer's return might see Pant losing his captaincy, however, to everyone's surprise Delhi Capitals announced that the southpaw would continue leading the side. Talking about the same former KKR player and cricket expert Rajat Bhatia said that Delhi took a very good decision to keep Pant the captain despite the presence of Iyer.
"Delhi Capitals' decision to give captaincy to Rishabh Pant instead of Shreyas Iyer is a very good move. This is a good decision because many a time you take decisions under pressure or depending on someone's ability or capability...but Delhi Capitals had earlier given the captaincy to Rishabh Pant and haven't taken it back from him after the arrival of regular skipper Shreyas Iyer. These small things matter a lot," said Rajat Bhatia in DafaNews Presents SportsTiger Mid Wicket LIVE show on Saturday.
Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals, who are at the top of IPL 2021 points table, resume their campaign in the 14th edition of the mega event with a match against SunRisers Hyderabad on September 22, Wednesday. Both the teams have contrasting fates so far midway in the tournament. Where on one hand, Delhi are just a couple of wins away from securing a playoff berth, Hyderabad, on the other, are on the brink of getting out of the final 4 race.