Shami's participation in IPL not in my hand: Gambhir

New Delhi: Newly-appointed Delhi Daredevils captain Gautam Gambhir said that whether his DD teammate Mohammed Shami will be part of his team in upcoming Indian Premier League season or not is something that Board of Cricket Control and his franchise have to sit and take a decision on.

"It's not for me to decide, this is something BCCI and Delhi Daredevils have to decide. We have to respect the decisions the decision was taken and hopefully everything turns out well," said the 36-year-old batsman.

The 28-year-old medium pacer was charged under various non-bailable and bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), following a complaint filed by his wife. He has been also charged under section 498A, which amounts to cruelty to a woman by her husband or his relatives. BCCI had withheld his contract and is currently looking into the matter.

Speaking about managing a new squad, Gambhir sounded nostalgic when asked about the new challenges he is expecting with his return to his first franchise in Indian Premier League

"Obviously it's gonna be difficult as I have a left a franchise (Kolkata Knight Riders) which I captained for six years (2011-17). Six years is a long time and I had everything set there for me," said the former KKR skipper on Sunday. "Now I have to start from the scratch which presents a new set of challenges and I am looking forward to it."

Gambhir added that being a skipper is not as easy as it looks because of the varied quality of players at disposal.

"You have a team filled with quality players in all department and you can only pick seven Indian players and four foreign players out of 20-plus squad team. It becomes important to find the correct combination as soon as possible," said the 36-year-old batsman.

Gambir revealed the Delhi Daredevils' camp for the preparation to the 11th edition of the IPL will start soon this month as he looks forward to building the squad.

"There are still 3-4 weeks to go for the IPL to start. We are about to set up a camp, which will start later this month and I am sure by the time tournament comes, the squad will be equipped and ready for it," he said. Gambhir expressed his happiness at being back where he started and hopes to end it with Daredevils.

"You always like to come back to your home. I am back where I started and hopefully I will finish it here as well," he said.

Gambir was present at the Indian Army's Soldierathon event, which aims to honour the sacrifices of the armed forces by raising funds for their rehabilitation and their children's education. The veteran cricketer felt it was the only way to give something back to the Army.