5 instances when IPL captains stepped down from their role midway through the season

Gautam Gambhir has stepped down from his captaincy duties of DD after a horrendous season
Gautam Gambhir has stepped down from his captaincy duties of DD after a horrendous 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)

Deccan Chargers won their maiden IPL title under Adam Gilchrist's captaincy
Deccan Chargers won their maiden IPL title under Adam Gilchrist's captaincy

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'.

#4 Kumar Sangakkara in 2012 (Deccan Chargers)

Kumar Sangakkara relinquished captaincy after poor performances with the bat
Kumar Sangakkara relinquished captaincy after poor performances with the bat

The rules of the tournament allow a team to field only four overseas players in their playing XI. Hence, picking the best four is of utmost importance to any franchise. Knowing this, Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara decided to step down from captaincy in 2012.

His performance with the bat was not up to the mark and so he did not want to be a burden to his team Deccan Chargers. Australian Cameron White was handed the baton, but he failed to recreate his countryman Gilly's magic as DC had a very poor outing in that season.

#3 Daniel Vettori in 2012 (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Daniel Vettori vacated his position for a young Virat Kohli
Daniel Vettori (right) vacated his position for a young Virat Kohli

Just like the previous mention in this list, Daniel Vettori stepped down as the skipper of Royal Challengers Bangalore after his poor run of performances with the ball. Sri Lankan maestro Muttiah Muralitharan was in a much better form than the Kiwi, and hence Vettori left his place for a young Virat Kohli.

Six years after taking that tough call, Vettori must be proud. He is now the coach of the same team and Kohli is now considered as one of the best skippers of the current generation, if not the best. However, he has failed to win an IPL trophy.

#2 Sachin Tendulkar in 2012 (Mumbai Indians)

After Harbhajan Singh lead MI to their maiden CLT20 triumph, Tendulkar decided to step down from captaincy
After Harbhajan Singh lead MI to their maiden CLT20 triumph, Tendulkar decided to step down from captaincy

2012 was the year when a lot of turbulence regarding captaincies were going on. Harbhajan Singh was named as Mumbai Indians' skipper for the Champions League T20 2011 as their original skipper Sachin Tendulkar was injured.

The Turbanator led them to their maiden CL T20 triumph but it was later announced that Bhajji's duties as a skipper were over and Tendulkar will lead them in IPL 2012. But the Master Blaster selflessly gave up captaincy and handed over the responsibilities to Harbhajan, who handled them excellently.

#1 Ricky Ponting in 2013 (Mumbai Indians)

Punter stepping down from captaincy was a massive boon for MI
Punter (right) stepping down from captaincy was a massive boon for MI

Mumbai Indians appointed a vastly experienced campaigner in Ricky Ponting as their skipper in 2013, as the Australian was someone who knew every single detail about captaincy. However, he was going through a very rough patch and that led him to renounce his duties. He passed on the honour to Rohit Sharma and that has been a massive boon for MI, as they have won three IPL titles under Rohit's captaincy.

As a matter of fact, Ponting stepped down from captaincy after just six games, just as Gambhir did. Also, Ponting is now the head coach of the Delhi Daredevils. Can Shreyas Iyer be Delhi Daredevils' Rohit Sharma? Only time knows the answer.

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Edited by Sarah Waris