Rajasthan Royals end their 6-year association with Steve Smith ahead of IPL 2021

In a big development, 2008 champions have let go their skipper Steve Smith ahead of the mini auction slated ...

By Lokmat English Desk | Published: January 20, 2021 05:21 PM2021-01-20T17:21:52+5:302021-01-20T17:22:29+5:30

Rajasthan Royals end their 6-year association with Steve Smith ahead of IPL 2021 | Rajasthan Royals end their 6-year association with Steve Smith ahead of IPL 2021

Rajasthan Royals end their 6-year association with Steve Smith ahead of IPL 2021

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In a big development, 2008 champions have let go their skipper Steve Smith ahead of the mini auction slated to be held in February. Rajasthan finished with a wooden spoon in IPL 2020 under Smith's captaincy. mith played all 14 matches in UAE, he managed to score only 311 runs at a strike rate of 131, with impressive performances in the first two games of the league stage. With the likes of Sanju Samson,  Jos Buttler and star English all-rounder Ben Stokes in the fray, it remains to be seen whom the management chooses to lead the side in the upcoming edition, provided they are all retained. 

Speaking to , sources in the Rajasthan Royals franchise confirmed the development and said that it was a decision taken on the final day before submitting the list to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)."Yes, Smith has been released. It went down to the wire, to be honest. We had discussions on the matter and the call was taken today itself," the source explained.  Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra was also of the view that the Royals need a new captain for IPL 2021.“On paper, Rajasthan Royal feels like the one of the most complete teams in the IPL, but on the field, the team has failed to impress even its staunch supporters. Though RR had something to cheer about in Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag last season, they still finished at the bottom of the table. I feel the team needs a new leader and that has to be at the top of the priority list next season. I think the team should not release their current young talent such as Akash Singh, Mahipal Lomror, Mayank Markande, Anuj Rawat and Kartik Tyagi," Chopra said on Star Sports' show Cricket Connected.
 

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