Shikhar Dhawan was reportedly offered Delhi’s captaincy before the selectors handed the responsibility to Rishabh Pant.
With the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma set to be present for the upcoming edition of Vijay Hazare trophy, the selectors sprung a huge surprise by picking the 19-year-old Rishabh Pant to lead Delhi. Earlier, reports suggested the selectors gambled on Pant because they are planning for the future.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Delhi coach KP Bhaskar had said:
“The selectors are looking at the future and they think Rishabh is the right choice. They were thinking that there are four-five seniors in the team who can groom him. All the seniors – Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma – are there, and this is the right opportunity, so looking forward to the future.”
However, according to latest reports, the selectors had to pick Pant because Dhawan was not sure on whether to take the captaincy. The Times of India has reported the India opener chose to consult former Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir when he was told about the selectors’ decision which might have spoiled his chance.
The report further added Dhawan was the front-runner to lead Delhi but the selectors were in a hurry to name the new skipper.
As quoted in the news outlet, a source said:
“One of the selectors first offered Dhawan the job. Dhawan told him that he would consult Gambhir before taking any call.”
Currently out of the Indian team, Dhawan did not show too much interest in taking the responsibility because he did not want to disturb the hierarchy of the Delhi team. The southpaw has fallen down the pecking order in the Indian team after some poor displays but a good outing in the domestic circuit would surely see him getting back into the team.
“He didn’t want to be seen someone who is ambitious to take captaincy,” another source said.
The source further revealed Pant might be considered to lead Delhi in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season.
“Once you have taken the tough call on asking Gambhir not to captain in the shorter version of the game, it is more or less a message given to him that the selectors are also open for new leadership in future.”