Xtra Time Web Desk: Dinesh Karthik has handed over the Kolkata Knight Rider’s captaincy to Eoin Morgan on Friday. The wicket keeper batsman has informed the KKR management that with a view to focus on his batting and contributing more to the team’s cause, he wishes to handover the team’s captaincy to Eoin Morgan.
Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR said “we are fortunate to have leaders such as DK, who has always put the team first. It takes a lot of courage for someone like him to take a decision such as this. While we were surprised by his decision, we are respectful of his wishes. We are also fortunate that Eoin Morgan, the 2019 World Cup-winning captain, who has been the vice captain, is willing to lead the side going forward. DK and Eoin have worked brilliantly together during this tournament and although Eoin takes over as captain, this is effectively a role swap and we expect that this transition will work in a seamless manner”
Karthik has been in the role for the past two and half years. He replaced Gautam Gambhir as captain of KKR, guiding the team to the knockouts in 2018 and a fifth-place finish in 2019. However pressures were mounting on the Tamil Nadu cricketer as he has not looked in best of form with the bat and has been less than inspiring as far as captaincy is concerned. He has only scored 108 runs from seven matches with just one half century. He took the decision so as to concentrate more on his batting.
England World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan, who was the vice-captain of the side will now lead the side for the remainder of the cash rich league starting with the clash against Mumbai Indians at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday.