File photo: APKolkata: Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on Sunday removed as captain of IPL franchise Rising Pune Supergiants and replaced by Australian Steve Smith, ending his innings as skipper in both international and franchise cricket. Dhoni, who had stepped down as India’s limited-overs captain to snap his international run as skipper earlier this year, will, however, continue to be a part of the Pune franchise as a player. Part of the now suspended Chennai Super Kings franchise from 2008 to 2015, Dhoni led the team to back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. He has been with the Pune franchise ever since. The man replacing him in the leadership role, the 27-year-old Smith, is currently the captain of the Australian cricket team in all three formats.

Source: Mint February 19, 2017 09:46 UTC