IPL 2019 | Management went ahead with captaincy change, says Steve Smith
Steve Smith has stated that it was the Rajasthan Royals’ team management’s decision to make him the captain and sack Ajinkya Rahane, although it was just for two games. Rahane has been the skipper since last year after Smith’s ban but the sudden change was made prior to Saturday’s game.
Steve Smith was named as the captain of Rajasthan Royals for the 2018 season of the Indian Premier League but he was later banned for 12 months due to the ball-tampering scandal last year. Rahane took over as the skipper and even managed to take the side to the playoffs.
But the Rahane-led Royals have been dismal this season as they only had two victories in eight games prior to Saturday’s match against Mumbai Indians. In a surprising move, Smith walked in during the toss as the RR skipper, despite the fact that he will be departing after two games to join his national side in preparation for the upcoming World Cup. Smith reckoned that it was the team management’s decision to hand him over the captaincy.
"It is not easy to be told such kind of things but he is a terrific guy. Look at the way he came out and played his shots to give us a decent start. It was the management's decision. I was called and told about the decision and I was bit surprised by it," Smith told after the game against Mumbai Indians.
"Ajinkya has done a good job in the last year and half. I did have a chat with him. I am lucky to start with a victory; hopefully we go from strength to strength and have to play every game as final," he added.
17-year-old all-rounder Riyan Parag, who made his debut earlier this season, was also included in the playing XI in place of Rahul Tripathi. The Assam player made the most of the opportunity as he stitched a 70-run partnership with the skipper and scored a quickfire 43 of 29 balls before being dismissed by a run-out. He also rolled his arm, giving away just 17 runs in two overs. He had also bowled three overs in his debut match against Chennai Super Kings and had scored 16 runs in the same match. Thereby, the skipper was all praise for the teenager.
"He played with cool head, he is calm, cool and composed. In the previous matches he had batted the same way, he works very hard, he is big and strong young kid. He came out and played with that freedom, saw the ball and hit the ball did not worry about anything, just played the game. I think he has got some terrific skills with the ball too. He bowled really in his first game against Chennai and bowled pretty well today also. The kid learns really quickly and that is sign of a really good player and someone who has a great future," the 29-year-old expressed.
Smith had failed to get going post his comeback and barring an innings of 73, he had no other notable contributions in six innings. But he has roared back to form by scoring 59 off 48 deliveries to take his team through. The World Cup-bound cricketer felt that he has finally started to get into the groove.
"I am getting better and better, the way I am hitting the ball, more importantly my mind getting better and better, the decisions I am making and I am clear in the mind. My elbow also is better but I can't stretch it completely and I still have to play heavily strapped. Couple of weeks ahead I would be out with full pace. I like to be in action and involved in game. I am getting better and better with each game," he signed off.
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