Dhoni sacked as Pune skipper

■ THIS IS the first time that the 35year-old has been removed from the top position. ■ EARLIER, HE had stepped down from Team India captaincy on his own terms in all formats.

Kolkata, Feb. 19: Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Sunday removed as captain of IPL franchise Rising Pune Supergiants and replaced by Australian Steve Smith, ending his innings as skipper in both international and franchise cricket.

Dhoni, who had stepped down as India’s limitedovers captain to snap his international run as skipper earlier this year, will, however, continue to be a part of the Pune franchise as a player.

“Dhoni has not stepped down. We have appointed Steve Smith as the skipper for the upcoming season. Frankly speaking, we did not have a good last season and we wanted someone young to lead the side and revamp it ahead of the upcoming season 10,” Rising Pune Supergiants owner Sanjiv Goenka said.

Kolkata: Mahendra Singh Dhoni was today removed as captain of IPL franchise Rising Pune Supergiants and replaced by Australian Steve Smith, ending his innings as skipper in both international and franchise cricket. The decision comes a day before the players' auctions scheduled to be held in Bengaluru. “I have the highest regard for MS Dhoni as a leader and a person. Dhoni continues to be an integral member of our team. He is supportive of the decision keeping the franchise's best interests in mind,” Rising Pune Supergiants owner Sanjiv Goenka added. The most expensive player of the tournament that began in 2008, Dhoni also has been among the most successful part of the now suspended Chennai Super Kings franchise from 2008 to 2015, Dhoni led the team to back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. Besides, he also led Chennai to the Champions League T20 trophies in 2010 and 2014. After Chennai and Rajasthan Royals were suspended, two new franchises — Pune and Gujarat Lions — were given the option of choosing five players each. He has been with the Pune franchise ever since.