5 players RR can sign as captaincy options if they release Steve Smith
ESPNCricinfo has reported that the Rajasthan Royals are planning to release Steve Smith after the franchise finished at the eighth position in IPL 2020. Smith made several questionable decisions during the previous season.
He himself preferred to open the innings despite having Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Manan Vohra, and Robin Uthappa in the squad. Also, when Ben Stokes joined the team, Smith promoted him to the opening position.
Even the bowling department could not perform at its best. Hence, the Royals are considering releasing Smith. While the report states that Sanju Samson is the frontrunner to become the new Rajasthan Royals captain, it is likely that the Royals might hunt for an experienced captaincy option in the IPL 2021 Mini Auction.
Here are the five players RR could sign as captaincy options for IPL 2021.
5. Dinesh Karthik (if KKR releases him)
UPDATE: Dinesh Karthik has handed over @KKRiders captaincy to Eoin Morgan. Starting from 2018, Karthik led #KKR in 37 matches. #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/JeEAFEAUTD
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 16, 2020
A report from InsideSport stated that the Kolkata Knight Riders would probably let go of Dinesh Karthik and Kuldeep Yadav before the IPL 2021 Auction. Karthik had a forgettable IPL 2020 season, where he scored 169 runs in 14 matches.
However, the fans should note that Karthik is a very experienced player, who led KKR to the playoffs in IPL 2018. He is also doing a good job as the Tamil Nadu cricket team captain. Thus, Karthik could be a player that RR signs as their captain.
4. Joe Root
King Kallis talking to Joe Root in Galle during training. pic.twitter.com/NiQEPjrKzg
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) January 11, 2021
England’s Test captain Joe Root is yet to make his IPL debut. However, he has much experience under his belt and has a great captaincy record.
Rajasthan Royals use three English players - Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer in their playing XI. Root could thus feel at home if he earns a deal from RR and elected the captain.
3. Shakib Al Hasan
23,621 International runs, 562 international wickets &
— Mushfiqur Rahim FC (@mushfiqurfc) January 11, 2021
397 dismissals in single frame! ♥️#cricket #ShakibAlHasan #MushfiqurRahim pic.twitter.com/pFjlbuGdaG
Shakib Al Hasan is all set to make his comeback to the IPL after a one-year ban. He did not participate in IPL 2020 because of his ban.
Sunrisers Hyderabad was the last team Shakib Al Hasan played for in the IPL. The Rajasthan Royals could rope him in the auction and elect him as captain because of his captaincy experience.
2. Mushfiqur Rahim
Two years ago #onthisday, Mushfiqur Rahim notched up the highest Test score by a Bangladesh batsman.https://t.co/ERGSNngB00 pic.twitter.com/mK6e2UVTkI
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) November 12, 2020
Mushfiqur Rahim is another experienced captaincy option available in the list. Rahim has never earned an IPL contract.
RR has many reliable top-order options and Rahim could be a great addition to their middle order. He has played much T20 cricket and led Bangladesh to eight T20I wins as captain. Thus, Rahim could be the wildcard choice for the captain’s role at the Rajasthan Royals.
1. Daren Sammy
"I pick or choose Virat Kohli ahead of Steve Smith. Virat Kohli is Better."
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) September 11, 2020
- Daren Sammy pic.twitter.com/mAAkjUhbBV
Although Daren Sammy is no longer the player he once was, Sammy is still an excellent captain. He led the St. Lucia Zouks to the Caribbean Premier League 2020 final.
His leadership can help the young players and seasoned pros perform their jobs to perfection. Also, Sammy has immense T20 experience, and he has led an IPL team in the past. Thus, among unsold players, Daren Sammy will be the number one contender to become RR’s new captain.