Gautam Gambhir, former India cricketer-turned-commentator and KKR’s two-time IPL winning captain, believes that inconsistent Steve Smith is the “main issue” for Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the UAE.
Smith is one of the best batsmen in the world across the formats but his performances in IPL 2020 have been below-par for the Royals in the ongoing IPL 2020. However, the RR skipper got off to a fine start in the tournament, scoring two back-to-back fifties in the first two games, but then has been struggling to gain consistency and managed only 276 runs in 12 games at an average of over 25 so far.
Former Australian skipper’s inconsistent run with the bat has been played a role in RR’s inability to win IPL 13 matches and he yet again was the focal point after another failure in the Royals latest contest against Mumbai Indians on Sunday in Abu Dhabi – where he was dismissed for only 11.
However, RR won the game by 8 wickets on the back of Ben Stokes’ century and brilliant fifty from Sanju Samson against the defending champions on Sunday.
Well, Gambhir pointed out that the issue of balance in overseas players in Royals’ XI, suggesting RR skipper’s dropping can add more balance to their bowling attack.
Former KKR skipper has reckoned that if Smith is dropped from XI, it would allow RR to pick an overseas pacer like Oshane Thomas, which would help Jofra Archer who is one of the best pacers in the ongoing IPL 2020 in the bowling attack, as the English pacer is left to shoulder the responsibility alone in the pace department because of the team composition.
Gambhir told ESPNCricinfo: “I think Steve Smith is the main issue for Rajasthan Royals, let’s be honest. I have been saying it from Day 1. Steve Smith drops himself and RR can pick themselves Oshane Thomas or any other overseas seamer in his place alongside Jofra Archer. His performance will go up.”
He further explained, “Whoever is the captain can use Archer in a better way. I remember the game against Delhi Capitals - they were 10/2. And they had only used 2 overs from Jofra Archer.”
Gambhir signed off by saying, “If they had one more overseas pacer, they could have bowled 3 overs from Archer in the first six - and try and actually seal the game then and there. Just because you know there is not enough depth and quality apart from Archer, so you have to only use 2 overs from Jofra.”
