IPL 2018: Ajinkya Rahane replaces Steve Smith as Rajasthan Royals captain

Steve Smith stepped down as the captain of IPL team Rajasthan Royals (RR) ‘so the team can get ready for the start of the IPL without the ongoing distractions’, the franchise confirmed on Monday.

Ajinkya Rahane will replace Smith as captain for IPL 2018, which starts from April 7.

Rajasthan Royals appoint @ajinkyarahane88 as the captain for #IPL2018

“The game is bigger than any individual and we hold this thought close to our heart.”- Manoj Badale , the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals

Read more: https://t.co/qBQbgUFb2u pic.twitter.com/iy3sMVWlc1

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 26, 2018