'Eoin Morgan does not captain, KKR video analyst does, MS Dhoni is No.1' - Gautam Gambhir gives his verdict on all 4 captains ahead of IPL playoffs

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

Gambhir stated that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Eoin Morgan does not captain the side, but instead it is the video analyst who plays the role of the skipper. Gambhir even reckoned that captaincy in the KKR camp might be happening off the field.

Gambhir also opined that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli has been fabulous in the way he has led the side. The 39-year-old even added that since this is Kohli’s last season as full-time RCB captain, the 32-year-old is relaxed and is enjoying himself.

“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 because 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.

Rishabh Pant has the advantage of having experienced players in the side: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir further stated that from a captaincy point of view, the best captain is Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni. Gambhir also added that Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant has players like Steve Smith and Ravichandran Ashwin in the side who bring with them a lot of experience.

“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.