Smith quits as Royals skipper

TOPSHOT - This video grab taken from a footage released by AFP TV shows Australia's captain Steve Smith speaking during a press conference in Cape Town, on March 24, 2018 as he admitted to ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa. Australia captain Steve Smith and team-mate Cameron Bancroft sensationally admitted to ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa on March 24, 2018, plunging cricket into potentially its greatest crisis. Bancroft was caught on television cameras appearing to rub a yellow object on the ball, and later said: "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I want to be here (in the press conference) because I want to be accountable for my actions." / AFP PHOTO / AFP TV / STR

Steve Smith has "stepped down" as the captain of Rajasthan Royals in the wake of his admission to tampering the ball during the third Test against South Africa. Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed the new captain of Rajasthan Royals for the 2018 Indian Premier League.

Royals, in a statement, said Smith believed, "it's in the best interest of the Rajasthan Royals that he steps down as captain so the team can get ready for the start of the IPL without the ongoing distractions."

Manoj Badale, the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals, said they support Smith's decision. "Rajasthan Royals will do everything possible to protect the values and the integrity of the game. We agree with Steve's decision to step down as captain, and we are fortunate to have such a capable successor in Ajinkya Rahane. It is important that all cricket fans retain a balanced perspective on the situation. What happened in South Africa was clearly wrong, especially given that it appears to have been pre-meditated. That said, this will be a difficult time for Steve as well, given how much he cares about the game," he said

Zubin Bharucha, Head of Cricket, was confident Rahane would turn out to be a great leader for Royals.

"The incident in Cape Town has certainly disturbed the cricketing world. We have been in constant touch with the BCCI and taken their counsel. Furthermore we have been in regular contact with Steve."

"Ajinkya Rahane has been an integral part of the Royals family for a long time now and he understands the culture and values of our team. We have absolutely no doubt that he will be a great leader of the Rajasthan Royals."

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