Delhi Capitals deciding to keep Rishabh Pant as the captain of the franchise in the UAE-leg of the IPL 2021 season hinted that they aren't going to look back at Shreyas Iyer as the captain of the side in the future.
Having made his IPL debut in 2015, Iyer has been a vital part of the Delhi-based franchise. Besides scoring a bulk of runs, the right-handed batter proved his mettle in the leadership role as well.
Taking over Delhi’s captaincy from Gautam Gambhir midway through IPL 2018, Iyer took his side to playoffs twice including a maiden appearance in the finals in 2020.
Iyer was set to lead the Capitals in the 2021 season as well. However, an unfortunate shoulder injury ruled the 26-year-old out of the first leg.The Capitals subsequently named Rishabh Pant as their captain. While Iyer returned to the mix for the UAE leg, Pant continued to lead the side, having done well in the first instalments.
With two new franchises in the market and a few like Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings always in the hunt for new captains, not to forget RCB, there is a good chance that he will be one of the potential captains.
Iyer had said that he respects the franchise’s decision of continuing with Pant as skipper.
“This is part of the decision-making from the franchise or whatever decision they took, I respect the fact and Rishabh is leading the side well from the start of the season and they thought that he should be continued till the season end and I completely respect the decision,” Iyer said back then.
To create a bit of a level-playing field, the BCCI is mulling giving the two new franchises (Lucknow and Ahmedabad) the chance to pick three players from the available pool before the auction.
"Since most of the top franchises will retain the 'big boys' of India and international cricket, the two new franchises also need a level playing field. But this is still being deliberated, “a BCCI official.