Delhi Capitals (DC) couldn't make it to the IPL 2021 final after facing a defeat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Qualifiers 1 and 2. They were the table toppers and had a couple of opportunities but they still failed to enter their second consecutive IPL final.
DC was led by Rishabh Pant this season who was criticized for his captaincy moves, especially during the first Qualifier against CSK. Pant had handed over the ball to Tom Curran for the last over instead of Kagiso Rabada but the former failed to defend 13 runs.
Ex-India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar is baffled by DC's decision to let Pant lead the side in the absence of Shreyas Iyer. He further said franchises should opt for a specialist captain and he gave the example of MS Dhoni and Eoin Morgan.
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"The two teams that have reached the finals have been led by two seasoned captains - Morgan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. I have come to this belief at the moment based on whatever I have seen in the IPL... I just wonder when you are looking at T20 specialist bowlers and batters and all-rounders, I think it's time for us to also start looking for T20 specialist captains, you know, great T20 captains.
"It's beyond me how T20 captaincy is given to a young Rishabh Pant, [he's] still young cricket wise, young Shreyas Iyer or Sanju Samson," he said in a chat with ESPNCricinfo.
Manjrekar thinks leading a side in T20 cricket is tough and he said teams need a good captain to bring the best out of even an ordinary side. "I just don't understand the basis of that call because T20 captaincy is tough, it has a great impact... so I believe you've got to have brilliant T20 captains captaining sides and then even an ordinary side.
"I mean, look at CSK they have major weaknesses there but Dhoni has been able to get the best out of his playing XI. And those are the kind of captains IPL teams deserve, captains who are brilliant and just by their leadership and tactics will make a difference," he said.
(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)
