Indian cricketer and Rajasthan Royals’ new captain Ajinkya Rahane has said that Steven Smith should be respected as a batsman and as a player.
However, Rahane didn’t comment on the ICC and Cricket Australia’s (CA) verdict on Steven Smith and the other two Australian cricketers (David Warner and Cameron Bancroft) who were also involved in the ball-tampering scandal.
After the ball-tampering scandal in the Cape Town Test, Steven Smith received one Test ban from ICC (also 100% match fees fined). Later, CA investigated and then they handed one-year suspension for the Australian captain. Also, as per the sanctions, Smith will have to wait one more year after the end of his suspension to able for leading the national side once again.
Soon after the ball-tampering scandal revealed, Smith was sacked from the IPL captaincy by Rajasthan Royals and later he faced suspension from the IPL franchise. Ajinkya Rahane replaces Smith as a captain of Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming season.
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Talking about Smith’s involvement in ball-tampering incident, Rahane told, “I cannot comment on that because it was completely the ICC and Cricket Australia’s discretion. Whatever had to happen has happened. CA and ICC took their decisions. It’s time to respect Smith as a batsman and as a player. With the kind of record he has, especially in the Tests, that’s best for now.”
When Rahane was asked whether the team will miss Smith or not, Rahane claimed, “Yes we would miss him but we have a replacement (Heinrich Klaasen). I feel it is an added responsibility and also a big challenge for me.”
Speaking of his captaincy role for the Rajasthan Royals, Rahane spoke out, “I love challenges and am excited about the prospect.”
Also read: Rahane is excited to lead Rajasthan Royals
He also thanked the franchise for appointing him as the captain. In this connection, Rahane has already experienced to lead a side in IPL history. In the last IPL season, Rahane had led the RPS (Rising Pune Supergiant) side once against Delhi Daredevils after their captain Steven Smith missed out due to food poisoning.
Rahane also commented about Rajasthan Royals’ home venue in Jaipur, as he quoted, “It’s a happy feeling coming to Jaipur. I received some positive vibes when I entered the city. The mind now automatically wants to bat. And we have a good record here too. But it’s like a new start now. Surely the home games will be very important but the away games are equally important.”
When Rahane was asked about what position they are expecting to achieve in the IPL 2018, the right-handed batsman replied, “You would know that only after the tournament. We would try and play good cricket and give our 100 per cent as T20 is a format where the game can change within an over or two. So we would try not to take any game lightly.”
