IPL 2021: Who should lead Delhi Capitals once Sheyas Iyer returns?

The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League was suspended midway after multiple Covid-19 cases emerged across different bio-bubbles in different cities. In the 29 games that were conducted before the suspension call was made, the Delhi Capitals had a stellar run of form, which is well highlighted by their top position on the table.

Even before the season kicked off, the Capitals took a massive setback as their young skipper and India batter Shreyas Iyer was ruled out for the whole tournament owing to a shoulder injury he picked during England’s tour of India earlier this year. With him out of contention, the franchise went ahead with Rishabh Pant to take charge and the southpaw did not disappoint, leading a dominant campaign that included six wins from eight games.

? ANNOUNCEMENT ?

Rishabh Pant will be our Captain for #IPL2021 ✨@ShreyasIyer15 has been ruled out of the upcoming season following his injury in the #INDvENG series and @RishabhPant17 will lead the team in his absence ?#YehHaiNayiDilli

— Delhi Capitals (Stay Home. Wear Double Masks?) (@DelhiCapitals) March 30, 2021

Iyer’s injury had ruled him out for a minimum of 3 to 4 months, which meant that Pant had gotten the chance to lead his side for the entirety of IPL 2021. However, as it now stands, the tournament has been postponed and the BCCI is working on all possible options to complete the curtailed event to evade the massive financial losses should they fail to do so. That in turn has meant that Iyer might recover by the time IPL 2021 resumes, leading to the question of who should lead the team after the resumption.

Notably, Iyer took over as the full-time captain of the team after Gautam Gambhir stepped down in 2018. Ever since then, the 26-year-old has led the team brilliantly, taking them to their maiden IPL final against Mumbai Indians in the 2020 edition of the league held in UAE, while in 2019, the Capitals went onto qualify for the Playoffs after 7 years and finished at the third spot.

Considering the performance of the Delhi Capitals in the previous season and Pant’s appointment being a stop-gap arrangement, Iyer should return as captain. While Pant has lead the side with success, he will go back to being the vice-captain of the side and one of their major batsmen alongside being a wicketkeeper. The 23-year old has a bright future and will have his opportunity to lead a side when the time comes.