Watch: Steve Smith kicks aside Pat Cummins, picks Sanju Samson as favorite IPL 2024 captain

Australia top-order batsman Steve Smith, who did not find any buyers during the player auctions for IPL 2024 last year in Dubai, picked Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson over his national team captain Pat Cummins. Smith was asked to choose between all of the IPL 2024 captains and was given every option available but in the end, he chose to go with Samson. The RR skipper will be in action later tonight when his side welcomes Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Sawai Mansingh stadium. Rajasthan have a very good chance of going on top of the points table with a win tonight. 

Sanju Samson, if he leads his team towards a victory tonight, will stretch the team's 100% win record after the first 4 matches. Other than them, Shreyas Iyer's Kolkata Knight Riders are the only team to have won all of their games. Rajasthan opened their account with a 20-run win against Lucknow Super Giants at home before registering a 12-run victory over Delhi Capitals and a 6-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede stadium. 

The captaincy of Sanju Samson has been pretty good so far as he has been smart with his bowling changes and the Kumar Sangakkara-led management has also found the right balance. One of the biggest plus points for them has been the form of Riyan Parag, who is currently a top contender to clinch the Orange cap. Parag has scored 181 runs and is only below former India and RCB captain Virat Kohli, who is up there with 203 runs in 4 matches. 

Steve Smith chooses Rishabh Pant over du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad

Steve Smith was first given to choose between Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant and RCB's South African skipper Faf du Plessis. Without much thinking, Smith named Pant, given the fact that du Plessis hasn't been able to provide an impact as such not just with the bat but also with his leadership skills. Although both of them have just won one game so far but Smith went with Pant. 

Then, Steve Smith was given the choice between Rishabh Pant and brand new Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. It was a no-brainer for the Australian and he chose Pant because of the fact that it is Gaikwad's first season as captain. Then came the choice between Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan and Pant. There too, Smith went with Pant. 

The host then asked Steve Smith to choose between Pant and Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins. Smith was stuck in a moral battle and after taking a few seconds of pause, Smith exclaimed, "Pat". Then he was asked to choose from Cummins and MI skipper Hardik Pandya and there too, Smith stuck with his countryman and it was the same when he had to choose from Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. 

Steve Smith sticks with Sanju Samson till the end 

The host then brought forward the name of Sanju Samson and after an expression of shock, Steve Smith surprisingly chose Samson. The final was between Samson and KL Rahul and there too Smith remained firm in his stance of going with Samson.  

Steve Smith picks between IPL 2024 captains 👇

(Sanju Samson fans unite, he's got you 🤜🤛) pic.twitter.com/PKgNbLzGDL

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 6, 2024