IPL 2020: Jaydev Unadkat To Lead Rajasthan Royals In Steve Smith's Absence: Report
Published - 19 Aug 2020, 01:41 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:27 AM
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With Steve Smith being among the players who are set to miss the first week of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, Rajasthan Royals look set to name a new captain for the first few games. A number of England and Australia players will miss the initial week of the IPL because of their limited-overs series.
Rajasthan Royals will be most affected by the absence of the Australian and English players. Steve Smith is part of Australia’s 21-member squad touring the UK, and while England haven’t named their squad yet, it’s likely Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler will be part of it. The status of Ben Stokes – who is in New Zealand for personal reasons – is as yet unknown.
England and Australia will play three T20Is and as many ODIs next month. The series will end on September 16, just three days before the IPL starts. Following their arrival, they will have to undergo a mandatory six-day quarantine in the UAE which means the players from both countries will most likely miss the opening match of their respective teams. Upon arrival, the players will be tested on day 1, 3 and 6 and if the results are negative, they can enter the tournament’s bio-bubble.
Stand-in captain
With Steve Smith, Archer, Buttler and Stokes set to miss the first week of IPL, Rajasthan Royals are set to name a new captain for the first week of the tournament. And if reports are to be believed, left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat could lead the side in the absence of Steve Smith.
While Jaydev Unadkat has never led a side in IPL, he is not new to captaincy. The Rajasthan Royals star leads Saurashtra Ranji team and guided the side to Ranji Trophy glory earlier this year.
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Jaydev Unadkat, who is with the Royals since 2018, had a stunning outing in the last Ranji Trophy. He led the team from the very front and finished the season as the highest wicket-taker with 67 wickets.
