Image Source : IPLT20.COM MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli
Rajasthan Royals determined to half methods with Steve Smith, the franchise confirmed when all eight groups submitted the checklist of retained and launched gamers forward of the IPL 2021 auctions. Smith led the aspect in IPL 2020 the place the Royals completed on the backside of the factors desk.
Not solely did the Rajasthan outfit launch their former skipper, but in addition unveiled a recent captain forward of the following IPL version. Royals named Sanju Samson as the brand new chief of the workforce.
After the lists had been launched by the franchises, cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra made an enormous revelation. He mentioned that two massive groups — Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) — had been making an attempt to pay money for Samson for the upcoming season.
“I have come to know that there were 2 teams who were trying to poach Sanju Samson, trying to lure him. One was Royal Challengers Bangalore and the other was Chennai Super Kings. After being approached by these two franchises, even the Royals would have thought to not only retain Samson but also increase his stature in the team,” Chopra mentioned on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected.
Chopra additionally backed Royals’ choice to launch Smith and mentioned that he does not choose an abroad captain within the IPL. Samson is the third Indian skipper after Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane to steer the Rajasthan aspect.
“I don’t like the idea of an overseas captain. When you go with an overseas captain, he is 25% of your resource from the overseas lot. I think it’s a good move to release Steve Smith. I don’t think he is worth Rs 12.5 crore. I would be very surprised if someone bids this much for him,” Chopra additional mentioned.
Samson, after becoming a member of the Rajasthan aspect in 2013, has performed 79 video games and scored 1907 of his 2584 IPL runs. The right-hander was RR’s main run-scorer within the earlier IPL version within the UAE, the place he scored 375 runs from 14 matches.
“It’s an absolute honour to have been announced as the captain of Rajasthan Royals. It’s a team that is so close to my heart, which I’ve been lucky enough to play for over the years, and I’m excited about the challenge that lies ahead of me as the leader of the team,” mentioned Samson after being named Royals’ new skipper.
