Ahead of the game against Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals came up with a shocking decision to sack Ajinkya Rahane from the captaincy. They gave the reins to Steven Smith, who was supposed to be the captain of the ship before the ban in the last year edition of IPL.
Ajinkya Rahane stepped down from the post after Rajasthan’s terrible campaign in the IPL so far. They have registered just two wins from 8 games so far.
Despite that, Rahane will continue to be “a key voice in the side,” the Rajasthan Royals announced just minutes before their do-or-die match against Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh stadium on Saturday.
Ajinkya Rahane led Rajasthan to Two wins:
Steve Smith has been appointed as captain of Rajasthan Royals for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 season with Ajinkya Rahane stepping down from the responsibility. The announcement came just ahead of RR’s home game against Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur.
“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.
“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,” said Zubin Bharucha, Head of Cricket for Rajasthan Royals.
In his seven games so far, Smith has managed to score a total of 186 runs with a highest of an unbeaten 73 and a strike rate of 108. On the other hand, Rahane has scored 201 runs in eight games with a strike rate of 133. Both players have scored only one half-century in the tournament so far.
Here are a few Twitter reactions:
Steven Smith is back as captain in three weeks since his international ban ended… of #RajasthanRoyals. Change in leadership due to mounting losses. And probably a sign that Ajinkya Rahane will no longer be an automatic starter in the XI. #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/CjikuWw5RS
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) April 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/TiiimesHow/status/1119533741892935681
https://twitter.com/Rehan_Mirja/status/1119551462047137793
We want @ajinkyarahane88 as captain..There was nothing wrong in his leadership but players like @benstokes38 @smithsteve4 fail to perform or intentionally not giving 100 %
— Dhiraj Joshi (@Djoshi008) April 20, 2019
So the team which bought Jaydev U for highest sum for lat two years have sacked Ajinkya Rahane…Bonkers should have paid for better bowlers earlier….#IPL2k19 #RR
— vikram ingale (@ingaleVikram) April 20, 2019
Not quite the atmosphere you would want to be in if you are @ajinkyarahane88 . Got to feel for this guy. Supremely talented, soft spoken and a gentleman. A bad season- not as an individual, but by the team, and the franchise sacked him. Poor Ajinkya! @rajasthanroyals @IPL https://t.co/nLQLmYBEGn
— Arihant Jain (@iarihantjain) April 20, 2019
@rajasthanroyals Thank god Rahane is sacked, a delayed decision though. @ajinkyarahane88
— Sanjay Mathur (@sanjay815) April 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/shuklaayush7/status/1119549213329612801
@stevesmith49 the right choice for the @rajasthanroyals to appoint him as their Capt. They should have done this at the start of the tournament. @ajinkyarahane88 he is not a player of a shorter format @cricbuzz @IPL @iamnicck
— John Roy (@JohnRoy36560562) April 20, 2019
Thank God @stevesmith49 replaced @ajinkyarahane88. Now #RR has a chance to stand in the competition. #RRvMI
— Javed Khan (@jawathebawa) April 20, 2019
Dropping @ajinkyarahane88 from captaincy not a decision to change fate of Team.
See How #RCB is trusting their captain.
And #RR trusting someone on whom even their county did not.#IPL is not a tournament just to WIN but to encourage own Player.— Debadutta Das (@DebaduttaDas5) April 20, 2019
Steve Smith still banned from 'leadership role' in Australian cricket team.
But it clearly doesn't apply to the IPL – Rajasthan Royals have sacked Ajinkya Rahane as captain and replaced him with Smith.— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) April 20, 2019
Finally! @ajinkyarahane88 can finally focus on what he’s good at! Now the trophy is definitely ours. /s
— Parikshit Bohra (@bohrapar) April 20, 2019
#RajasthanRoyals have appointed an interim captain, by the looks of it. Steven Smith leaves in a few days too. Unless this is an announcement of next year's captain.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 20, 2019
What is the reason for changing the caption now because Smith will leave in few days then what they will go back to rahane ?
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.@ajinkyarahane88 @stevesmith49 @rajasthanroyals #VivoIPL #VIVOIPL2019 #mivsrr— Laxmikant (@Laxmika39545440) April 20, 2019
Ajinkya Rahane Sacked ?????
— Saiyaara ✨ (@BeingKushSharma) April 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/jiooijiooij/status/1119546996551872513
Only til 30 mins bak, every1 ws aftr @ajinkyarahane88's life, suggesting him to step down like @GautamGambhir did
Calls 4 dropping him
Now @rajasthanroyals hv don dat every1 is crying foul #IPL2019 cummon ppl #MoveOn #DigestIt (can bowl dhawal & bat jinx & no1 will notice ?)— Igoy (@hsnaguy) April 20, 2019