On Wednesday, former Delhi Daredevils (DD) captain Gautam Gambhir has stepped down from the leadership role after team’s poor performance. Later, it was revealed that the 36-year-old left-handed opening batsman has decided to play the remaining ongoing IPL season for free.
Earlier in the day, Gambhir announced that he had decided to step down from captaincy while he also said that Shreyas Iyer will lead the Delhi franchise side from the next game.
Gambhir told media about that decision, “I take full responsibility for the position we are in. And looking at the position, I have decided to step down as captain. Iyer will take over. I still feel we have the team to turn things around this IPL.”
Gambhir has also confirmed that the decision was taken by himself and the team management didn’t pressurize for that.
He spoke on that, “Absolutely my decision. I was the one who initiated the meeting (with the team owners). I thought that I haven’t contributed enough and at the same time, the performance of the team… I had to take the responsibility being the leader of the ship. So I feel that it was the right time. We’re very much in this competition. It was absolutely my decision, no pressure from the franchise, they’ve been absolutely sportive about it, sometimes when your conscious says it’s the right time you just take that (call).”
Later, one reliable source revealed that Gambhir has decided to not take any salary in this IPL season.
According to PTI, one reliable source claimed, “Gautam has decided that he won’t take any salary from the franchise for the season. He will play remaining part of IPL for the Delhi Daredevils for free. Gautam is someone who puts pride above everything else. He has been a proud performer. He doesn’t want to take any money and it’s a very personal call. In fact, he wanted to quit just after the KXIP game.”
While DD fans were sad after two-time IPL winning captain Gambhir left his captaincy, everyone is now saluting him for his latest decision to play the remaining IPL 2018 for free.
Here are some Twitter reactions on this:
Gautam Gambhir HATS OFF to you man!!!! You are more than an inspiration idol! He just forego his salary cuz of non performance n will be playing rest of the matches of the season for free..!
Who in the cricketing world has so much courage??!
I Stan Mr Gambhir 💗— Addy #GG 💗 (@dreamsredefined) April 25, 2018
Gautam Gambhir to play for free after quitting as #DD Captain. Like seriously? NOT FAIR!!!! #DelhiDaredevils
— Farhin (@farhin_18) April 25, 2018
Gautam Gambhir not only stepped down as the captain of DD but now he has become the first player in the history of IPL to play an IPL season for free. He gave up his 2.8 crore salary because he and his team wasn't performing well. Best wishes to new captain Shreyas iyer 😍 pic.twitter.com/BFhJfEqNY5
— badrinarayananan (@Iambadri11) April 26, 2018
Gautam gambhir is become first player who playing IPL for free, so virat kohli taking 17crores to keep his team at the bottom of the table. 🙄
— Rohit Patil (@Rohitpatil_24) April 26, 2018
Gambhir steps down as captain and gonna play free of cost for @DelhiDaredevils ?? Increase in respect level for this man @GautamGambhir
— Atul A.Tijore (@iAMatulT) April 26, 2018
Exemplary step by Gautam Gambhir for not taking salary for non-performance. India should have a similar law for politicians and babus. Goddamn leeches just suck the country dry
— Kejri Dutt (@MightyTroll4) April 25, 2018
Gautam Gambhir has decided to forego his salary! 🙏🙏🙏
I AM PROUD TO BE HIS FAN.#RESPECT pic.twitter.com/Q7U5CXBB5e— Gautian Sreeja Roy (@Roysreeja8) April 25, 2018
Hats off to you Gauti Bhai. You are a selfless sportsman. We are with you. #gauthamgambhir
— Dr.Manu A S ಡಾ||ಮನು ಎ.ಎಸ್. (@drmanuas) April 26, 2018
