IPL 2018: Rahane replaces Smith as captain of Rajasthan Royals
New Delhi: In the aftermath of the recent ball tampering controversy which forced Australia skipper Steve Smith to step down, his IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals on Monday also stripped Smith of the captaincy and named Ajinkya Rahane to lead the side in the upcoming Indian Premier League.
The Royals, returning to the IPL fold after serving a two-year ban on charges of corruption, had on Sunday sought time to take a final call ahead of the start of the 11th edition of the cash-rich league.
"Ajinkya Rahane has been an integral part of the Royals family for a long time now and he understands the culture and values of our team. We have absolutely no doubt that he will be a great leader of the Rajasthan Royals," the team's head of cricket Zubin Bharucha said in a statement.
"The incident in Cape Town has certainly disturbed the cricketing world. We have been in constant touch with the BCCI and taken their counsel. Furthermore we have been in regular contact with Smith."
"It's in the best interest of the Rajasthan Royals that Smith steps down as captain so the team can get ready for the start of the IPL without the ongoing distractions." he added.
Welcoming Rahane as the captain of the team, Ranjit Barthakur, executive Chairman, Rajasthan Royals, said: "Ajinkya Rahane has stepped up as a leader whenever he has been given the opportunity, be it for India or at Rajasthan Royals."
"We consider him the right candidate to lead the side this crucial season when the team is coming back to the IPL after two years. We wish him all the best.
"Governance and security are the prime policies that we as a franchise have taken into consideration and hence Rajasthan Royals' management is working towards deploying the best of governing and security methodologies to deliver the very best for the game of cricket in Jaipur," added Barthakur.
Rajasthan Royals will launch their season with an away fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 9 followed by their first home game in Jaipur on April 11 where they will host Delhi Daredevils at Sawai Mansingh stadium.
The IPL starts April 7 with Mumbai Indians facing Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai.
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Celebi Aviation denies ownership links to Erdogan’s daughter after security clearance revoked
New Delhi: Celebi Aviation India has vehemently rejected rumors on social media about ownership or affiliation with Sumeyye Erdogan, the daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Celebi Aviation India takes care of the ground and cargo handling activities at key Indian airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, which are sensitive from a national security viewpoint.
The clarification follows the Indian government's move to cancel the company's security clearance in the wake of increased scrutiny of Turkish connections, after Ankara's latest diplomatic approach inclining towards Pakistan.
In a formal announcement, the ground-handling and airport services firm declared that Sumeyye Erdogan has no involvement whatsoever and doesn't have any stake in the parent organization. The company clarified that its ownership lies solely with members of the Celebioglu family, Can Celebioglu and Canan Celebioglu, who, it said, have no political associations.
"There is no one named Sumeyye owning any shareholding in the parent organisation,” the statement noted, dismissing online speculation as baseless. Celebi further stated that it is a professionally managed company with a global presence, adhering to corporate governance and neutrality, and having no ties to any foreign government or political individual.
Celebi also detailed the ownership structure of its parent company, explaining that 65 per cent is held by institutional investors across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the UAE, and Western Europe. Notably, a Jersey-registered fund, Actera Partners II L.P., holds a 50 per cent stake, while Dutch entity Alpha Airport Services BV owns 15 per cent.
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