Smith replaces Dhoni as Pune Supergiants skipper

Former India captain will continue to play as wicketkeeper-batsman

NEW DELHI: Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been replaced by current Australian Skipper Steve Smith as the leader of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rising Pune Supergiants, an official statement said on Sunday.

Dhoni, who stepped down from the captaincy of the Men in Blue in ODI and T20I format last month, will continue to play as wicketkeeper-batsman for the franchise in the competition which begins April 5.

"Rising Pune Supergiant today announced the appointment of Steve Smith as their new captain for the forthcoming edition of IPL season 10," a team statement said.

Team owner Sanjiv Goenka said Dhoni "is supportive of the decision, keeping the franchise's best interests in mind".

Under 35-year-old Dhoni's captaincy, the Pune team finished second last in their debut IPL season in 2016, winning only five games and losing nine.

Dhoni scored 284 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 135 while 27-year-old Smith hit 270 in seven at a 153-strike rate.

"Frankly speaking, we did not have a good last season and we wanted someone young to lead the side and revamp it ahead of the upcoming season 10," Goenka told the Press Trust of India.

Dhoni was chosen to head the Pune franchise after the Supergiants and Gujarat Lions replaced Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, which were suspended for two seasons following a spot-fixing scandal in 2013.

He had been the captain of the Super Kings since the IPL's inception in 2008 and made it the most successful team, having won the short-form tournament in 2010 and 2011 and finishing runners-up on four occasions.

Separately, India's cricket board said Australian left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc was no longer a member of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team.

Starc had been signed up to the Bangalore franchise since 2014, but played only two tournaments for them. He skipped last year's edition due to a foot injury.

The latest announcements come just before the IPL player auction in Bangalore on Monday.