<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2019-steve-smith-replaces-ajinkya-rahane-as-rajasthans-captain-212026">Steve Smith</a>-led Rajasthan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/live-updates-ipl-2019-match-36-rajasthan-royals-vs-mumbai-indians-at-sawai-mansingh-stadium-212022">defeated Mumbai by five wickets</a> in an Indian Premier League match at their home turf on Saturday. It's Rajasthan's third win of the season.&nbsp;

Australian cricketer Smith, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane as the captain of Rajasthan franchise, played skipper's knock to achieve the target set by Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai.&nbsp;

Smith scored an unbeaten 59 off 48 and he was well supported by Riyan Parag (43) and Sanju Samson (35). &nbsp;

For his match-winning knock, Smith won Man of the Match award.

While reciving the award, he said, "I haven't contributed as much as I would've liked through the tournament and it feels really nice to have gotten the boys over the line."

"Hopefully we can carry it forward from here," he added.&nbsp;

Earlier, batting first, Mumbai put up a decent 161 for 5 against thanks to Quinton de Kock's splendid knock. &nbsp;&nbsp;

De Kock smashed 65 off 47 balls with six fours and two sixes, adding 97 runs off 68 balls for the second wicket with Suryakumar Yadav (34 off 33 balls) that helped MI total gain a semblance of respectability.&nbsp;

Reinstated as skipper in place of Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith introduced leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal (2/21 in 4 overs) in the third over. &nbsp;

He deceived rival skipper Rohit Sharma( 5), who stepped out only to offer a return catch after failing to read a googly. &nbsp;

Gopal could have got rid of De Kock off the last ball of the over but Jofra Archer dropped a difficult chance at long on.&nbsp;

Making most out of this reprieve De Kock helped his team reach 50-run mark in 6.5 overs.&nbsp;

He reached his own half-century in 34 balls and his partnership with Suryakumar was broken when latter was caught in deep off Stuart Binny in the 14th over.&nbsp;

A few balls later Quinton de Kock too was holed out in long-on as Hardik Pandya and Pollard joined forces with scorboard reading 112 for 3 in 15 overs.&nbsp;

Pollard(10 runs 7 balls) was dropped by Archer once again. Hardik played another of his cameos scoring 23 off 15 balls.

Steve Smith-led Rajasthan defeated Mumbai by five wickets in an Indian Premier League match at their home turf on Saturday. It's Rajasthan's third win of the season.

Steve Smith-led Rajasthan defeated Mumbai by five wickets in an Indian Premier League match at their home turf on Saturday. It's Rajasthan's third win of the season. Australian cricketer Smith, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane as the captain of Rajasthan franchise, played skipper's knock to achieve the target set by Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai. Smith scored an unbeaten 59 off 48 and he was well supported by Riyan Parag (43) and Sanju Samson (35). For his match-winning knock, Smith won Man of the Match award. While reciving the award, he said, "I haven't contributed as much as I would've liked through the tournament and it feels really nice to have gotten the boys over the line." "Hopefully we can carry it forward from here," he added. Earlier, batting first, Mumbai put up a decent 161 for 5 against thanks to Quinton de Kock's splendid knock. De Kock smashed 65 off 47 balls with six fours and two sixes, adding 97 runs off 68 balls for the second wicket with Suryakumar Yadav (34 off 33 balls) that helped MI total gain a semblance of respectability. Reinstated as skipper in place of Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith introduced leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal (2/21 in 4 overs) in the third over. He deceived rival skipper Rohit Sharma( 5), who stepped out only to offer a return catch after failing to read a googly. Gopal could have got rid of De Kock off the last ball of the over but Jofra Archer dropped a difficult chance at long on. Making most out of this reprieve De Kock helped his team reach 50-run mark in 6.5 overs. He reached his own half-century in 34 balls and his partnership with Suryakumar was broken when latter was caught in deep off Stuart Binny in the 14th over. A few balls later Quinton de Kock too was holed out in long-on as Hardik Pandya and Pollard joined forces with scorboard reading 112 for 3 in 15 overs. Pollard(10 runs 7 balls) was dropped by Archer once again. Hardik played another of his cameos scoring 23 off 15 balls.

IPL 2019: Steve Smith-led Rajasthan beat Mumbai by 5 wickets

Australian cricketer Steve Smith has replaced&nbsp;Ajinkya Rahane as the captain of Rajasthan franchise in the Indian Premier League tournament ahead of their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/live-updates-ipl-2019-match-36-rajasthan-royals-vs-mumbai-indians-at-sawai-mansingh-stadium-212022">match against Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai</a> on Saturday.&nbsp;

At the time of toss, Smith said, "Ajinkya has done a terrific job in the last one and a half year and the team management thinks there's a need for a change."

"I have done a bit of leadership in the IPL with a bit of success, hopefully, I can lead the team well," he added.&nbsp;

Smith, who&nbsp;is back in action after serving a one-year ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, has served the Rajasthan team as skipper earlier.&nbsp;

Rajasthan 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 playoffs.

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 franchise now thinks a fresh approach is needed to bring their 2019 campaign back on track.&nbsp;

"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.&nbsp;

However, Smith is expected to be available until May 1 but by then, the team would have played majority of its league games.&nbsp;

Star players Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler would also be leaving next week to join England's World Cup camp.&nbsp;

Australian cricketer Steve Smith has replaced Ajinkya Rahane as the captain of Rajasthan franchise in the Indian Premier League tournament ahead of their match against Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai on Saturday.

Australian cricketer Steve Smith has replaced Ajinkya Rahane as the captain of Rajasthan franchise in the Indian Premier League tournament ahead of their match against Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai on Saturday. At the time of toss, Smith said, "Ajinkya has done a terrific job in the last one and a half year and the team management thinks there's a need for a change." "I have done a bit of leadership in the IPL with a bit of success, hopefully, I can lead the team well," he added. Smith, who is back in action after serving a one-year ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal, has served the Rajasthan team as skipper earlier. Rajasthan 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 playoffs. 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 franchise 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.

IPL 2019: Steve Smith replaces Ajinkya Rahane as Rajasthan's captain

rrvsmi

Rrvsmi, News on Rrvsmi, stories on Rrvsmi, articles on Rrvsmi, Rrvsmi stories at Wion, Rrvsmi news, Rrvsmi latest news