Finally, Delhi Daredevils on Wednesday named Gautam Gambhir as their skipper for the 11th edition of Indian Premier League.

Talking to reporters about his homecoming at the franchise’s jersey unveiling ceremony, Gambhir said “peaceful environment” will bring the best out of him.

“It’s fun to be in a peaceful environment and I haven’t had it in the last couple of years,” a smiling Gambhir said.

“It’s good fun (to be a part of Daredevils) and it can bring the best out of me. It will be good that I will be able to play in a good, peaceful and happy environment,” Gambhir added.

Gambhir had led Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise for seven years in which the team had won the IPL trophy twice.

“It’s not at all difficult to manage players as it’s the performance that will keep them in the playing XI. And it starts with me. I need to perform to be in that playing XI. And sometimes, it’s not about price tag but about game-changers, who need to be given a longer rope because they can change the game.”

“You don’t expect them to be consistent but you expect them to win 3 or 4 games,” Gambhir said.

“It’s not about price tag as it’s not in players’ hand. The only thing in players hand is to perform for the team,” Gambhir made his point clear.

When Gambhir was asked whether it is going to be difficult to lead DD after guiding KKR for seven years, he said, “It was same when I took charge of KKR in 2011.”

“But in this team, my inputs have been taken. Our CEO Hemant (Dua) got me and Ricky on the same page. When I look at the side, I see there’s a lot of potential.” Gambhir said.

Gautam Gambhir also took a dig when a scribe asked the most clichéd question about whether IPL could be a vehicle for India comeback for him.

“Every year before IPL, I am asked a standard question as to how important the tournament will be for my comeback. You don’t play a tournament eyeing a comeback, you play to win it. It is a selfish way to think that you are playing a particular tournament for the comeback. You can never win the IPL like that and my aim is to win it for DD.”

“If you can make a comeback, then it’s a by-product. As a leader, my thought process can’t be like that,” he put his viewpoint in a forthright manner,” he concluded.

Delhi Daredevils squad: Prithvi Shaw, Abhishek Sharma, Manjot Kalra, Colin Munro, Trent Boult, Gautam Gambhir, Jason Roy, Amit Mishra, Shahbaz Nadeem, Naman Ojha, Glenn Maxwell, Harshal Patel, Rahul Tewatia, Jayant Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Shami, Daniel Christian, Gurkeerat Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Sayan Ghosh, Sandeep Lamichhane, Chris Morris, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant.