Rishabh Pant to replace Gautam Gambhir as Delhi skipper of Vijay Hazare Trophy

The Delhi selectors have decided to take the big step towards the future, the committee led by former Indian cricketer Atul Wasan has replaced Indian opener Gautam Gambhir as the skipper of the team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy India’s premier domestic one-day tournament. Captaincy reins will now be in the hands of 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.

Pant who has been making news right from the start of the season first with his sensational batting and terrific knocks for Delhi earned him a call-up for the Indian T20I team for the home series against England where he also went on to make his debut in the last match.

He has been on the radar of the national selectors as they earlier named him in the India A team for the warm-up fixture against England where he scored a half century and then recently for the two-day tour match against Bangladesh as well.

Nikhil Chopra one of the three Delhi selectors said that with there being no other option apart from Gambhir who can be seen as a prospective skipper they see a potential skipper in Pant and wish to try him since with the Vijay Hazare Trophy the 2016-17 season will come to an end as well.

Also read- Suresh Raina to lead Central Zone in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

“Frankly Vijay Hazare is the last tournament of the season and this was an ideal opportunity for us to see who is the best candidate to lead the state side. We were not finding anyone all these years who could replace Gautam,” Chopra was quoted by PTI as saying.

Atul Wasan spoke to Gambhir before the decision was made and they want the seniors in the team to guide the teenager through the initial phase of captaincy.

“The Hazare Trophy gives us opportunity to test Rishabh’s captaincy skills and with Gautam and other seniors around, he will get ample guidance from Gautam. Obviously Atul has spoken to Gautam and he has been taken into confidence,” he added.