The ball-tampering incident raises serious questions about the kind of sporting culture Australian cricket team comes with. It has put questions on the integrity of Australian cricketers. The harsh action taken against the Australian skipper has invited a variety of criticism from the cricket fraternity. However, Rajasthan has announced Ajinkya Rahane as the successor to Steve Smith. Rajasthan has lost their best batsman in Steve Smith.
The incidents have taken a lot of sharp turns. The ban on Steve Smith and David Warner started from imposing a one-match ban on Test match. However, after the issue caught speed in the global media and after the world cricket fraternity acknowledged the matter and condemned the effort to tamper the ball. Thereafter, there started coming in the news that the players concerned are going to face a strict ban and days after Cricket Australia slapped the erstwhile Australian skipper and the Vice-captain of the team David Warner. Taking cognizance of the ban imposed by the Cricket Australia, BCCI banned the two players from playing in the IPL 2018.
Legends like Sachin Tendulkar have come out in open and now said that the Australian-trio should now be relieved and be left in peace. The ban has come as a big blow to the IPL Franchises as Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers both have lost arguably their best batsmen.
In an interview given to Cricbuzz, RR’s Head of Cricket – Zubin Barucha said, “ Smith will be back with us next year and we did not want to end up with two similar players. Our idea was to build the team keeping three years in mind. Even after Smith is back, Klaasen will be very useful for us."
This means that Smith is set to return in the next IPL that is IPL 2019.