Appointed captain of Delhi Daredevils in the midst of the ongoing Indian Premier League, Shreyas Iyer led from the front and steered his side to a comprehensive win against Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday.

Photo credit: Delhi Daredevils/Twitter

Having led NaMo Bandra Blasters to the playoffs in the inaugural T20 Mumbai league last month, Iyer was no stranger to the role but he had a steep hill to climb ahead of the match against KKR.

I expect DD’s fortunes to change tonight. What with a Mumbaikar leading them now. 😜

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 27 April 2018

The innings started with another Mumbaikar though. Prithvi Shaw, who was the in the North Mumbai Panthers squad in T20 Mumbai, went on to become the joint-youngest to score a 50 in the IPL and set the tone of the Delhi innings. Along with Iyer, Shaw shared a partnership of 68 runs off just 42 balls for the second wicket.

Very good looking half century from young Prithvi Shaw, batch of 2018. Batting alongside Shreyas Iyer, batch of 2014.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 27 April 2018

Iyer started steadily, scoring 23 runs off 18 balls but then upped his pace with the next 22 balls producing 70 runs at an astounding strike rate of 318.18.

Shreyas Iyer is the first CAPTAIN to hit 10 sixes in an IPL inning.
He is also the first Delhi Daredevils player to hit 10 sixes in an IPL inning. #IPL2018 #DDvKKR

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) 27 April 2018

Very impressive innings from Shreyas Iyer. Liked how it progressed and then took off

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 27 April 2018

This Shreyas Iyer seems like Virat Kohli after a glass of Amul Kool.#DDvKKR

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) 27 April 2018

He finished unbeaten on 93 off just 40 balls, his third straight IPL 50, propelling DD to a competitive 219/4 in 20 overs.

Slayer Iyer... what a knock young man .. oh wait, captain Iyer! #DDvKKR @DelhiDaredevils Highest score on captaincy debut #VIVOIPL 👏🏻👏🏻

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) 27 April 2018

Third in a row, best of them all! 😍

That was class, Shreyas Iyer! 🙌🏻#DilDilli #Dhadkega #DDvKKR pic.twitter.com/330t0Tvzax

— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) 28 April 2018

The innings would have been under some pressure considering Delhi's disappointing run in the current campaign, with Gautam Gambhir taking responsibility and stepping down from the mantle allowing Iyer to step up.

🤔🤔

That six by Iyer slapped over extra cover got the @DelhiDaredevils dugout like...#DDvKKR pic.twitter.com/ZsaJWlOjXW

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) 27 April 2018

Best decision Gautam Gambhir made. #IPL #KKRvDD #TideHasTurned#ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/WrldiS8Bin

— kasturi shankar (@KasthuriShankar) 27 April 2018

But Iyer delivered. Not only did he top scored for his side, he even impeccably led them on the field.

What’s coming through clearly with Shreyas Iyer is that he has great hands while batting. All other things will unravel slowly.#DDvKKR

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 27 April 2018

Your first day on the job as boss, and you couldn't wish for a better day at the office #ShreyasIyer 👏👏👏 #DDvKKR

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) 27 April 2018

Big shoes to fill for #ShreyasIyer tonight and he did it with aplomb, excellent with the bat to start with, composure in leadership ,as well as on the field #DDvKKR #IPL2018

— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) 27 April 2018

It was, then, no surprise that he was rewarded for his all-round show.

Delhi Daredevils captains to win a match on their captaincy debut
Virender Sehwag
SHREYAS IYER#DDvKKR

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) 27 April 2018

Terrific start for Shreyas Iyer as captain. Wins match and man of the match too!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) 27 April 2018

Great start for Shreyas Iyer. Captaincy debut @DelhiDaredevils and Player of the match. Memorable beginning #DD. A good win today for #DDvKKR @IPL

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) 27 April 2018

"Obviously a great feeling getting on the winning side," Iyer said after the match. "It is an amazing feeling winning my first game as a skipper. All of us contributed for this win. We wanted to bowl first. So, a nice toss to lose. It gave the batsman the freedom to express themselves.

(Prithvi Shaw) has been really batting well since the start of the season. Even in the practice games before the IPL. It is always important how he is starting off. Colin Munro at the top with him added 50 runs and that benefitted for the team.

"Liam Plunkett is our goto guy. He came up to me and told me he wants to bowl the 16th or 17th over, whichever over he bowled. And I really like it when my bowlers come up to me and talk. It is really good," he pointed out towards his team's efforts.

"Hopefully we carry forward the same momentum from here!"

Here's what Shreyas Iyer had to say on his first win as captain! 😀#DilDilli #Dhadkega #DDvKKR pic.twitter.com/gNiZnyEZSx

— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) 28 April 2018

Iyer is now the talk of the town, not just in Delhi and Mumbai, but the entire nation.

#DDvKKR: New captain, new fortunes for #DD. Shreyas Iyer, leading from the front. #AakashVani #Review #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/ysKEWgpL1l

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 28 April 2018