IPL 2020: Gautam Gambhir Underlines Steve Smith As Rajasthan Royals' Main Issue

Former India cricketer, Gautam Gambhir feels Steve Smith, captain of the Rajasthan Royals should drop himself so that they can accommodate an overseas pacer in their eleven. On the back of Ben Stokes’ century and Sanju Samson’s half-century, Rajasthan Royals won their game versus table-toppers, Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

However, captain Steve Smith is once again facing criticism for his disappointing show with the bat in a big run-chase. James Pattinson castled smith for a score of 11 from eight balls. Smith, after his twin fifties at the start of the tournament, had a string of low scores and has been inconsistent with the bat. Not only that, some of his decisions as the captain have also been questionable.

I think Steve Smith is the main issue for Rajasthan Royals: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir has lamented on the issue of balance in overseas players in Rajasthan Royals’ eleven. Gambhir opines that Smith should drop himself so that the Royals can get in Oshane Thomas or any other overseas play to support Jofra Archer.

Gambhir said in that way Jofra Archer can be used in a better way. If there is another overseas pacer that can bowl well in the death, Archer can bowl three overs up front where he has been in menacing form with the new ball.

Talking to ESPNCricinfo, Gautam Gambhir said, “I think Steve Smith is the main issue for Rajasthan Royals let’s be honest. I have been saying it from Day 1. Steve Smith drops himself and RR can pick themselves Oshane Thomas or any other overseas seamer in his place alongside Jofra Archer. His performance will go up.”

Against Delhi Capitals, even after picking two wickets with the new ball, Archer was bowled only two overs and kept for the death as RR doesn’t have plenty of options in the eleven. They have overseas pacers like Tom Curran, Oshane Thomas, and Andrew Tye sitting on the bench who all have potent death bowling skills. Hence, Gambhir suggests dropping Smith for a foreign pacer. Against Mumbai as well, Hardik Pandya smashed Ankit Rajpoot and Kartik Tyagi while safely negotiating Archer, exposing RR’s death bowling woes.

“Whoever is the captain can use Archer in a better way. I remember the game against Delhi Capitals – they were 10/2. And they had only used 2 overs from Jofra Archer.

“If they had one more overseas pacer, they could have bowled 3 overs from Archer in the first six – and try and actually seal the game then and there. Just because you know there is not enough depth and quality apart from Jofra Archer, so you have to only use 2 overs from Archer,” the former opener said.

After playing 12 games, Rajasthan Royals are on the sixth spot with 10 points. They will face Kings XI Punjab on Friday in Abu Dhabi.

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