Respect DC's decision to stick with Rishabh Pant as skipper - Shreyas Iyer

Having missed out in the first leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a shoulder injury, Shreyas Iyer made a brilliant comeback and scored an unbeaten 47 to help Delhi Capitals (DC) pip Sunrisers Hyderabad in their UAE leg opener. Iyer picked up the injury during India vs England ODI series and was ruled out of the IPL 2021.

However, with the tournament getting postponed in May due to COVID-19, Iyer got time to recover and was available for the second leg. In the absence of Iyer, Rishabh Pant was named the skipper of the team. The wicketkeeper-batter did exceptionally well and led the team to six wins in eight games.

But with Iyer back, the franchise was confused if they give the leadership reins back to Iyer or stick with Pant. DC, after much deliberation, said Pant will lead the side in 2021, with Iyer taking back the captaincy in the next season.
After the match, Iyer was asked about DC’s decision to stick with Pant as skipper to which he said he respects the call taken by the franchise and it has not affected him in any way.

“When I was given the captaincy, I was in a different frame of mind and my decision-making and temperament level was very good and I benefited from it in the last two years,” Iyer said.

“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,” he added.

“And no drastic change has come that my focus has increased in batting. when I was captain, I like to soak in the pressure, when there is pressure, there are more challenges and, in such situations, I perform, that is my mind-set.

Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer stitched an unbeaten 67 run stand to take Delhi Capitals home. The win took Delhi Capitals to the helm of the points table and they now have their one foot in the playoffs. They play their next game against Rajasthan Royals on September 25 in Abu Dhabi.