Steve Smith Released By Rajasthan Royals Ahead Of IPL 2021 Auctions, Sanju Samson Named Captain | Cricket News

Rajasthan Royals have released former captain Steve Smith ahead of IPL 2021 auctions, the franchise confirmed in a tweet on Wednesday. Sanju Samson has been named as the captain of the team. Smith led the side in IPL 2020 where the Royals finished at the bottom of the points table. “Forever a Royal…Some special memories Smudge,” wrote Rajasthan Royals in a tweet. The last day for player retentions ahead of the auction is January 20 and Smith’s is the first major omission among the teams ahead of the 14th edition of the league. Smith played 14 games in IPL 2020, scoring 311 runs at a strike rate of 131.

Forever a Royal…

Some special memories Smudge. #RoyalsFamily | @stevesmith49 pic.twitter.com/esOSQVtAtP

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 20, 2021

A new chapter begins now.

Say hello to your Royals captain. #SkipperSanju | #HallaBol | #IPL2021 | #IPLRetention | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/pukyEiyb1B

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 20, 2021

Overall, Smith has played 95 IPL matches and has scored 2333 runs at 35.34 with one century and 11 half-centuries.

Promoted

Earlier on Wednesday, Harbhajan Singh took to Twitter to announce that his contract was not renewed by Chennai Super Kings, for whom he turned out in IPL 2018 and 2019.

The player auctions are scheduled for February 2021 and teams are in preparations for finalising their best combinations ahead of the auctions.