Eoin Morgan will lead Kolkata Knight Riders when the 2-time champions take the field against Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2020 match on Friday after Dinesh Karthik decided to hand over the reins to the World Cup-winning England captain. The decision came as a surprise not just for the Knight Riders but for fans and experts who were building up for the big clash.
KKR persisted with Dinesh Karthik despite buying Eoin Morgan after the latter’s World Cup success. However, after 7 games the decision has come. KKR lost only 3, winning 4 of them and are placed in the top 4.
However, this is not the first time a captain has been replaced mid-way during the season. Right from the first season up until IPL 2018, there were some bold calls that had come our way in terms of mid-way captaincy changes.
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IPL 2018: Gautam Gambhir makes way for Shreyas Iyer
After spending 8 successful seasons with the Kolkata Knight Riders during which he also led them to championship twice, Gautam Gambhir returned to Delhi Capitals in 2018. However, the homecoming did not go as planned. Gambhir struggled for form and after 6 games in which they lost 5, Shreyas Iyer took over. Gambhir not just stepped down but offered to give up his salary for the season.
IPL 2017: Murali Vijay replaces David Miller
Kings XI Punjab were struggling with just one win from 6 matches up until that point under David Miller captaincy. The South African star had just managed a little over 70 in 6 matches before he was sacked as captain. Murali Vijay took over and led KXIP to 3 wins in their next 6 matches but the Punjab-based franchise finished with the wooden spoon.
IPL 2015: Steve Smith replaces Shane Watson
Steve Smith started IPL 2015 season leading former champions Rajasthan Royals as Shane Watson, who was named captain, suffered a hip injury and missed quite a few matches. When Watson came back, he handed over the reins to Smith on a permanent basis in order to focus on his batting. The Royals reached the play-offs that season.
IPL 2014: Darren Sammy replaces Shikhar Dhawan
This move came late in the season. Shikhar Dhawan had found a lot of success, opening the batting for Sunrisers Hyderabad but the India opener struggled for form scoring at 21.5 in their first 10 matches. Darren Sammy replaced Dhawan after their 10th match but SRH were not able to reach the play-offs.
IPL 2013: Rohit Sharma replaces Ricky Ponting
Well, 2013 saw the emergence of the most successful captain in the IPL. Ricky Ponting suffered with poor form and he decided to drop himself from the playing XI after their 6th match. Rohit Sharma took over as captain from the Australia great and led the team to glory in IPL 2013. He added 3 more with the last one coming at IPL 2019.
IPL 2012: Virat Kohli replaces Daniel Vettori
IPL 2012 was also a landmark season in the history of the tournament as Virat Kohli was handed the captaincy of RCB on a permanent basis. Vettori led RCB to the final of IPL 2011 but he wasn’t able to replicate his success in the following season. Also, the New Zealand spinner struggled for form and Kohli took over in the 10th match of the season.
IPL 2012: Cameron White replaces Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara came up with an unselfish move when he dropped himself due to poor form after 7 games for Deccan Chargers in IPL 2012. Cameron White, the Australian all-rounder, took over from the Sri Lanka great.
IPL 2009: Anil Kumble replaces Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen took the IPL 2009 auction by storm and was appointed as the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, after 6 matches, Pietersen was sacked as captain due to poor form. Anil Kumble, India’s legendary leg-spinner, took over and led the team to the final.
IPL 2008: Injuries see India icons miss captaincy
VVS Laxman was the face of Deccan Chargers in the inaugural edition of IPL. However, the India great did not enjoy a good time as captain and batsmen in IPL 2008. After an injury ruled him out, Australia great Adam Gilchirsit took over. Gilchirst led the team to glory in IPl 2009.
Similarly, Sachin Tendulkar missed out on Mumbai Indians captaincy for the first seven games of IPL 2008. Harbhajan Singh led the team but he was suspended for slapping S Sreesanth mid-way during the tournament. South Africa great Shaun Pollock replaces Harbhajan before Tendulkar recovered from the groin injury and took over.