Gautam Gambhir is the only person who knows why he stepped down: Sandeep Patil

04/28/2018

Former chief selector Sandeep Patil has stated that only Gautam Gambhir has any idea why he decided to step down as Delhi Daredevils’ captain. He also revealed that his relations with Gambhir soured when the former KKR captain was dropped from the team due to poor form and fitness.

Gautam Gambhir has been one of the biggest talking points of IPL of late. In the auction earlier this year, Delhi Daredevils bought the left-handed opener for Rs 2.8 crore, making him the captain. He had seven successful years with Kolkata Knight Riders where he led them to two IPL titles, which made the decision fairly easy for the Delhi management who were hoping this would be their break-out season after a disappointing first decade.

However, half-way through the season and Delhi have once again been in a familiar territory, losing five out of their first six games. Gambhir, who started the tournament with a solid half-century, has struggled to score managing just 30 runs in his last 4 innings. Thus, Gambhir took a surprisingly bold call of stepping down as captain and also dropping himself from the team (as Shreyas Iyer clarified in the post-match press conference).

Respecting the Delhi opener’s decision, former chief selector Sandeep Patil has stated that he didn't understand the intention behind the act, stating that only Gambhir knows why he stepped down.

“I respect his decision to quit Delhi Daredevils captaincy, but he is the only person who knows why he stepped down in the middle of an IPL campaign. In my view, only an individual can understand what is going on inside his head,” Sandeep Patil quoted while writing for The Quint.

Gambhir lost his place in the national team in early 2013 when the selection committee had decided to go with Shikhar Dhawan instead of a struggling and an out-of-form Gambhir. Patil felt that it was the point, which soured his relationship with Gambhir.

“I was the chairman of the Selection Committee at the time and we selectors decided to give Dhawan a chance in place of a struggling Gambhir. Later on, all doors were shut for Gambhir as Murali Vijay too was performing excellently as an opener. That was the time Gambhir decided to end our friendship. I understand his feelings and took it in the right spirit. I did not take it personally. He hardly smiled whenever we met and he seems angry with me even today. When it comes to selecting a player for India, friendship or emotions don’t work. The interest of the country always comes first – survival of the fittest. Even the king of jungle has to surrender his territory one day,” the former chief selector added.

Gambhir sat out of Delhi’s last game against Kolkata Knight Riders, which resulted in a win and it helped Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy tenure get off to a bright start.

Gautam Gambhir is the only person who knows why he stepped down: Sandeep Patil

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