Now, Dhoni axed as Pune skipper
END OF TERM Indian Premier League’s most experienced captain will play under Australian Steve Smith this year Dhoni has not stepped down. We appointed Smith as the skipper. Frankly speaking, we did not have a good last season and we wanted someone young to lead. At this point in time after a long summer and with a big tour of India still ahead, I think it is in my best interests, both physically and mentally, for me to have a break
NEW DELHI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been removed as skipper of Rising Pune Supergiants for the 2017 Indian Premier League. The former Indian skipper, who stepped down from captaincy in the limited-overs format before the start of the England series, will now play only as a wicketkeeper-batsman. Steve Smith, the current Australia captain, will be the new skipper of the franchise.
This move has ended his innings as skipper in both international and franchise cricket.
Rising Pune Supergiants owner Sanjiv Goenka told PTI, “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.”
Only those who are not disqualified in terms of the strict interpretation of the various orders issued by the Supreme Court may attend the IPL Player Auctions
Our cricket board has been trying to convince the BCCI for the last two years to have some of our players in the IPL auction, finally we have been given the chance this time
Goenka further added, “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.”
Sources said that Dhoni has been informed of the decision by the franchise. The former India skipper has reportedly said that he will give his full co-operation to Smith in the 2017 IPL.
Steve Smith is currently the captain of the Australia cricket team in all three formats. He was appointed Test captain in 2014/15 and he took over the ODI captaincy reins after the end of the 2015 World Cup.
Rising Pune Supergiants were one of the two new teams in the 2016 IPL along with Gujarat Lions following the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
Although the team started well with a win over Mumbai Indians in the first match, the team failed to maintain the consistency. They were ravaged with injuries, with the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Faf du Plessis and Steven Smith all withdrawing due to injuries.
Pune narrowly avoided the wooden spoon to Kings XI Punjab, MUMBAI: The excitement in the tone is unmistakable. You can hear the voices of his teammates in the background as you connect to Mohammad Nabi in Zimbabwe. For the IPL team owners, Monday’s auction is about making a few buys here and there, to fix specific areas, however, if Nabi is to be believed, cricket enthusiasts in Afghanistan will be all glued to all available sources of information following the action in Bengaluru.
“You cannot believe the interest in IPL in Afghanistan. Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dhoni’s original team, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are very popular. If even one of our players gets picked on Monday, it will be a big boost for the game in Afghanistan. Some of us are playing