Dubai, Aug 30 (IANS): Shreyas Iyer will be captaining Delhi Capitals' side that has a number of seniors from the Indian team. Apart from Shikhar Dhawan, who joined DC last season, India's Test vice captain Ajinkya Rahane and ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will also be a part of the team in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which will be played in the UAE starting on September 19.

Both Ashwin and Rahane have captained IPL teams in the past.

"Ashwin and Rahane are both individuals who are highly knowledgeable as players and have captained IPL teams before. So for me, this is an opportunity to use as a captain. I can reach out to them when I want to, and share and discuss with them," Iyer said in a video on the BCCI's website.

Shreyas will also be reunited with head coach and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.

"I feel blessed to be working with someone as Ricky Ponting's stature so closely. He is such a legend and makes everyone from the most senior one to the newest guy feel at home and as a part of the unite," Shreyas said.

Shreyas and Ponting were credited for the team's run to the playoffs last season. It was the first time in seven years that they had progresses beyond the group stage.