IPL 2019 | Steve Smith replaces Ajinkya Rahane as Rajasthan Royals’ captain
Rajasthan Royals have appointed Steve Smith as the skipper for the remaining matches of the IPL 2019 as the franchise sacked Ajinkya Rahane just ahead of their game against Mumbai Indians. Rahane has endured a tough season as the skipper as his side is currently placed seventh on the points table.
Rahane has had an awful run this season and to add pressure on the already-burdened shoulder, his captaincy has been mediocre. Rahane, for all his majesty as a batsman for India, has also been a bad tactician in this season so far and the usage of Jaydev Unadkat in the death overs just point fingers at the fact that he can’t make use of Jofra Archer and Shreyas Gopal efficiently. Seeing that, the franchise has decided to bring a change in the leadership and appointed Steve Smith as the new captain.
"Ajinkya Rahane did a fantastic job in leading the team to the playoffs last year, however, the franchise now thinks a fresh approach is needed to bring their 2019 campaign back on track. Steve has always been part of the leadership team within RR and Rahane will continue to be a key voice in the side. Therefore, the Royals see this as a small restructuring process to secure the results required to move up the table,” Zubin Bharucha, Head of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals, stated in a press release on Saturday.
"Ajinkya is and will always be a true Royal. He led the team to the playoffs in 2018 in a very challenging scenario and that will go down as one of the great comebacks of the IPL. He remains a key part of our side and leadership team and will extend support wherever required to Steve."
Smith, despite being tainted for his involvement in the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal, has now regained some of his old reputations back with his good conduct during this season of the IPL and has also made a comeback to the Australian side for the World Cup. It must be noted that Smith led a wonderful resurgence for Rising Pune Supergiant in the 2017 edition of the Indian Premier League and took the team to the final before losing to Mumbai Indians by one run. Bharucha banked on that record as RR would be looking to make it to the play-offs this season.
"Steve is one of the most innovative and successful captains in the world, in all formats of the game. We are confident he can lead the Royals to success."