Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that Steve Smith will captain the team in the 2020 edition. Smith had taken over from Ajinkya Rahane mid-season in 2019 and the team recovered to post four successive victories amid a poor season.

McDonald told IANS, "I think Steve Smith is the logical choice after the season last year as he stepped in half way through and we saw a real spark in the performance from the team aspect. I think continuity is important from the point of view of captaincy. He has got an understanding of how players go about it on the field and understands how the bowlers think. I think it is critical to have a captain who understands the players that he is working with.

"Has also had a great time with the Australian team as well. He has been there under pressure and done it before. Really looking forward to working with him. Haven't had the opportunity to work with him at this level, really looking forward to that. Have had a few initial conversations with him, he will be our captain for the season," he said.

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With Rahane's removal as skipper mid-season raising some eyebrows among fans and scribes, RR had said: "Rahane, someone who embodies all the qualities you'd expect from a Rajasthan Royals player, took the reins for our first few games, allowing Smith to settle in. We did not have a great start to the season, but our skipper was in good form, scoring a sublime 70 against SRH and providing a strong start during a successful chase against MI in Mumbai.

"Keeping Ajinkya's role as a successful opener for the team in mind and to release him of captaincy pressures, Smith was made captain before our home game against MI. The two continued to take leadership calls, and Rahane continued to score runs, including a majestic hundred against Delhi Capitals. The team got back to winning ways."

Rahane will now play for Delhi Capitals in 2020, after a trade-off between the two teams, which saw Mayank Markande and Rahul Tewatia going to the Royals.

(With IANS inputs)