Following the ball-tampering controversy that erupted in the third Test between South Africa and Australia, Steve Smith has stepped down from his role as the skipper of the Rajasthan Royals.
The Aussie was designated to lead the team in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting next month but has now decided to relinquish his position with India batsman Ajinkya Rahane stepping into the role.
The now-stood down Australia skipper was at the centre of a storm on the third day of the Cape Town Test where he admitted that the team leadership had conspired to tamper with the ball after camera caught Cameron Bancroft repeatedly using a sticky tape to that effect.
Following the furore that emerged from the cheating scandal, Smith and his deputy David Warner stood down from their respective roles for the Test with Tim Paine taking charge of the team on the fourth day.
Rajasthan Royals appoint @ajinkyarahane88 as the captain for #IPL2018
“The game is bigger than any individual and we hold this thought close to our heart.”- Manoj Badale , the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals
Read more: https://t.co/qBQbgUFb2u pic.twitter.com/iy3sMVWlc1
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 26, 2018
Smith was subsequently handed a one-Test ban for his conduct by the ICC while Cricket Australia opened their own investigation into the incident which has disgraced Australian cricket for some time to come.
There was speculation on Sunday that Smith would be removed from his position as skipper for the Rajasthan Royals outfit after the controversy. On Monday, co-owner Manoj Badle confirmed the rumours as he announced Rahane as the new skipper.
“Rajasthan Royals will do everything possible to protect the values and the integrity of the game. We agree with Steve’s decision to step down as captain, and we are fortunate to have such a capable successor with Ajinkya Rahane. It is important that all cricket fans retain a balanced perspective on the situation. What happened in South Africa was clearly wrong, especially given that it appears to have been pre-meditated. That said, this will be a difficult time for Steve as well, given how much he cares about the game,” he said in a press release.
