5 instances when IPL captains stepped down from their role midway through the season
Till this year, Gautam Gambhir was considered as one of the most successful skippers in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). But only six games were enough to throw him off his perch as the Delhi lad, after reuniting with his local team, has decided to step down from captaincy. Under his reign, Delhi Daredevils have lost five out of their six games and are sitting at the bottom of the table this season.
But this is not the only time a skipper has decided to vacate his position. There have been multiple such instances in the past, few of which have turned out to be miraculously successful. Let us have a look at five such instances where a skipper decided to step down from his duties midway through the season.
#5 VVS Laxman in 2008 (Deccan Chargers)
Some of the most exquisite players found it hard to get accustomed to the shortest format of the game when the IPL began in 2008. VVS Laxman was one of them, who was initially named as the skipper of the now defunct franchise Deccan Chargers. After encountering humiliating losses, Laxman decided to give up captaincy and that allowed the DC management to appoint Australian Adam Gilchrist as their skipper.
Though DC had a very ordinary outing in the inaugural season of IPL, they went on to win the trophy for the first and last time in 2009 under Gilly's captaincy. Not only did Laxman gave up captaincy, he also renounced his 'icon' status so as to allow the owners to spend more on other players. Perhaps this is why he is called 'very very special'.