Dhoni removed as Pune captain, Smith takes over

KOLKATA: Indian cricketer 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 limited-overs 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.

This is the first time that the 35-year-old, who had stepped down from Team India captaincy on his own terms in all formats, has been removed from the top position. 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,” 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.