IPL 2018: 5 players who can replace the banned Steve Smith in Rajasthan Royals

Finally, all the drama and suspense surrounding the Sandpaper Gate has come to an end. Steve Smith has been slapped a one-year ban after being held guilty for ‘knowledge of a potential plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball’ and ‘failure to take steps to seek to prevent the development and implementation of that plan’.

Smith has also been barred from assuming any leadership role in the national team for the next two years. Experienced opener David Warner and youngster Cameron Bancroft have been suspended for 1 year and 9 months respectively by Cricket Australia (CA) as well.

Soon after CA came out with this penalty, IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla followed suit and informed the press about the unavailability of both the Aussies in this year’s IPL.

Having already removed Smith as Captain, Rajasthan Royals (RR) will not be able to employ his batting services in IPL 2018 as well. After being accorded to pick replacements, RR will look at other options who can potentially replace their former Captain.

Here are five players who can replace the banned Steve Smith in Rajasthan Royals:

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#5 Eoin Morgan

Morgan set his base prize at 2

crore

in the IPL auctions

Eoin Morgan may not have been able to leave a mark in the IPL till now but he has shown glimpses of his batting talent on Indian pitches. On England’s tour to India in 2017, Morgan was one of the star performers for the English side in the limited-overs leg.

The English Captain piled up 173 runs in 3 ODI innings at an average of 57.67 which included a 102-run knock at Cuttack and 108 runs in the T20 series at a strike rate of over 130.

Morgan got only four games for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2017 and can turn out to be a much better player if RR choose to go with him and give him a longer rope.

#4 Shaun Marsh

Marsh set his base prize at 1.5

crore

in the IPL auctions

Shaun Marsh remained a part of Kings XI Punjab throughout the first decade of the IPL. He had started his IPL career with a bang as he clinched the Orange Cap in the inaugural season itself, amassing 616 runs in 11 matches at a staggering average of 68.44.The elder Marsh is also one of the few players to have an IPL century against his name.

The Aussie possesses the left hander’s elegance and is a sweet timer of the cricket ball. In IPL 2017 also, he scored 264 runs at an average of 33.00 which included two half-centuries. Recently, the southpaw has consistently got off to starts in the ongoing Test series against South Africa.

#3 Aiden Markram

Markram set his base prize at 50 lakh in the IPL auctions

Aiden Markram is one of the few cricketers whose popularity has shot up in no time. The Protea is a complete batsman with a solid defence and conventional technique.

He is a bit like Virat Kohli with regard to shot making. Just like Kohli, Markram does not play switch hits or Dilscoops but his attacking shots in T20 are just an extension of his Test match game. Even the Indian Captain has appreciated the playing style of the 23-year-old.

Aiden Markram is a delight to watch!

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 24, 2018

What makes Markram more special is his ability to bat anywhere in the batting order. He has opened as well as batted in the middle order for South Africa. His cricketing brain and superb fielding are the other add-ons that RR can get if they pick Markram as Smith’s replacement.

#2 Hashim Amla

Amla set his base prize at 1.5

crore

in the IPL auctions

Hashim Amla was first called as a replacement in IPL 2016 after Shaun Marsh pulled out midway due to injury. The South African soon left an impact as he shone with a 96-run spectacle against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

What was more noticeable about the knock was the fact that these runs were scored at a strike rate of over 170. This innings helped Amla untag himself as only a Test match batsman.

However, it was 2017 which proved to be a breakthrough year for Amla in the IPL as he scored 420 runs in 10 innings at an average of 60 and a strike rate over 140. This also included a 60-ball 104 against Mumbai Indians.

But it was probably his recent form which led the franchises not to consider him as he went unsold in this year’s auction. If given a chance, the Mighty Hash can take up opening duties for RR while Rahane can be slotted at No. 3.

#1 Joe Root

Root set his base prize at 1.5

crore

in the IPL auctions

2018 was the first time that Joe Root tossed his hat in the IPL Auctions. Having set his base prize at 1.5 crore, he could not capture the interest of the franchises. The most likely reason for this is that he would not be available for the full season and would have to return to national duty for a two-match Test series against Pakistan.

However as the IPL ends on 27 May and the England-Pakistan series begins on 24th May, Root would be available for the entire league stage. The English Test Captain can be an ideal replacement for Smith as he enjoys an almost similar stature as that of the Aussie. Root will also bring in some calmness and experience to the RR set up.