IPL 2019: Ajinkya Rahane Set to Take Back Captaincy Reins After Steve Smith Leaves

Rajasthan Royals former skipper Ajinkya Rahane is going to take back captaincy reins after Steven Smith has left for Australia. Rahane had led in the first eight matches of the season but he was sacked by the franchise as Steven Smith was given the captaincy bridle. Subsequently, Steven Smith had led the team with aplomb and had produced positive results. In Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, Rajasthan Royals lost six matches and won only two games.

In fact, Smith went on to lead Rajasthan Royals in five matches in which the team won in three matches, one loss and one ended in no result. Thus, Steven Smith was able to change the fortune of the franchise.

Rahane takes back captaincy.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals is still in the contention of the playoff stages. They are currently placed at the fifth position in the points table with five wins, seven losses and one no result. Hence, they have 11 points under their belt and would need to win their last match against Delhi Capitals.

Furthermore, the Rajasthan Royals will need other results to go in their favour. Meanwhile, it was also noticed that there was a spring in the stride of Ajinkya Rahane’s batting after he was relinquished from the captaincy duties. Rahane had celebrated his hundred against Delhi Capitals in an aggressive manner after he was removed from the leadership.

In fact, it was expected that either Jaydev Unadkat or Sanju Samson will lead Rajasthan Royals in the last league match against Delhi Capitals. However, a franchise think tank has decided to go back to Ajinkya Rahane. The right-hander is the top-scorer for the club with 391 runs under his belt.

Rajasthan Royals will play their 14th and last league match against Delhi Capitals at Feroz Shah Kotla on 4th May.