Rahane sacked as Royals captain in middle of IPL, Smith given leadership charge
Jaipur: Former Australian captain Steve Smith on Saturday replaced Ajinkya Rahane as Rajasthan Royals skipper, hoping the mid-season switch will revive their disappointing campaign so far in the IPL.
Smith, who is back in action after serving a one-year ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, has been made the leader of the team once again. The announcement was made ahead of Royals' clash against Mumbai Indians here.
The hosts, who have lost six out of their eight games, need to win at least five of their remaining six matches to have any chance of making the play-offs.
Smith was also named captain before the start of the 2018 edition but in the wake of the ball-tampering incident, it was decided that Rahane would lead the team in the Australian's forced absence.
"Rajasthan Royals will be led by the Australian batsman Steven Smith for the upcoming matches of the IPL. Ajinkya Rahane did a fantastic job in leading the team to the playoffs last year, however, the franchisee now thinks a fresh approach is needed to bring their 2019 campaign back on track.
"Steve has always been part of the leadership team within RR and Rahane will continue to be a key voice in the side, therefore the Royals see this as a small restructuring process to secure the results required to move up the table," said the team in a statement.
However, Smith is expected to be available until May 1 but by then, the team would have played majority of its league games.
Star players Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler would also be leaving next week to join England's World Cup camp.
Smith has made 186 runs in seven games at 37.20 with 73 being his highest. Rahane, on the other hand, has scored 201 runs at 25.12 including a top-score of 70.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
ED issues lookout notice against Kolkata Police DCP Shantanu Sinha Biswas
Kolkata (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a lookout notice against Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas in connection with a money laundering case, an official said on Tuesday.
The lookout notice was issued after Biswas evaded multiple summons issued to him by the ED.
The notice has been circulated across airports, railway stations and other transit points to prevent any possible attempt by Biswas to leave India, he said.
"He was served notices to appear before the agency on five occasions, but he did not turn up even once. Given his continued non-cooperation, we suspect he may try to evade the probe by going abroad," the officer told PTI.
The central agency alleged that Biswas failed to comply with multiple summons issued to him during the course of its investigation.
Incidentally, the central agency conducted raids at Biswas's residence during the just-concluded assembly election in the state.
ED officials had carried out raids at his Fern Road residence in Kolkata in connection with a case linked to alleged land grabbing and extortion involving an individual known as 'Sona Pappu'.
A day after the searches, Biswas's two sons, Sayantan and Manish, were summoned to the agency's CGO Complex office, but they too did not appear, sources claimed.
Subsequently, Biswas was also summoned in connection with a sand smuggling case in which allegations of financial irregularities have surfaced against him.
However, instead of appearing in person, his lawyer represented him before the agency, citing prior engagements. In a written communication, Biswas reportedly informed the ED that he was unable to attend due to official commitments.
Despite repeated summons, the officer has not appeared before investigators so far.
"The lookout notice has been issued detailing the allegations against him and to ensure he remains available for questioning," another official said.
