Virat is good but MS Dhoni is no.1 – Gambhir gives his verdict on 4 captains ahead of IPL playoffs

Former Indian cricketer and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Gautam Gambhir has given his opinion on all the four captains of the franchises that have qualified for the IPL 2021 playoffs.

He stated that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Eoin Morgan is not the original captain of the side as a video analyst leads the team from the dugout.

Gambhir also opined that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli has impressed him a lot this year. The 39-year old further added that Virat is enjoying his captaincy as he will be stepping down from his post after the season.

“Morgan’s point of view, I’m not sure because he doesn’t captain, so it’s the video analyst that captains the side. He only just looks at the video analyst, so I don’t know whether he’s the captain on the field or if the captaincy is happening off the field.

Virat has been fabulous. Honestly, I have not enjoyed a lot of his captaincy, but this time around, he’s been very, very good. Probably the reason is that he thinks this is his last time as captain in IPL, (so) he wants to enjoy it more; he’s just more relaxed. And he’s got the bowlers this time,” said Gambhir in a chat on the show ‘Runorder’ by ESPNCricinfo.

Gambhir said that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper has been the best in the ongoing season. “Purely from the captaincy point of view who can handle the pressure best, probably has to be Dhoni. Rishabh has the advantage from a point of view that he’s got a lot of experience in the playing XI. If Steve Smith plays, he’s got him alongside. He has got Ravichandran Ashwin who has captained earlier as well… so for me, Dhoni is No. 1 at the moment,” concluded Gambhir.