On Saturday, after replacing Steve Smith as captain of Rajasthan Royals, Ajinkya Rahane said that the former Australian skipper will be missed in the 11th season of Indian Premier League (IPL), starting April 7. The 29-year-old batsman feels that the absence of Smith will put added responsibility on his shoulders. "Yes we would miss him but we have a replacement (Heinrich Klaasen). I feel it is an added responsibility and also a big challenge for me," said Rahane.
Smith may have been disgraced for his role in the ball tampering scandal in South Africa but newly appointed Rajasthan Royals skipper said that he still respects him as a world-class batsman. "Whatever had to happen has already happened. It's bygone now. It is not for me to comment on the amount of penalty handed to him by the Cricket Australia and the ICC. But his cricketing record should be respected. I respect him as a batsman and player," Rahane said during a media conference.
Ajinkya Rahane said "I cannot comment on that because it was completely the ICC and Cricket Australia's discretion." He left this one, perhaps outside his off-stump. But went on to add: "Whatever had to happen has happened. CA and ICC took their decisions. It's time to respect Smith as a batsman and as a player. With the kind of record he has, especially in the Tests, that's best for now."
There was another question on what position would Royals be at when the IPL season was done. "You would know that only after the tournament." If you thought that was his best shot of the day, there was more. "We would try and play good cricket and give our 100 per cent as T20 is a format where the game can change within an over or two. So we would try not to take any game lightly."