With the ongoing ball-tampering controversy, Steve Smith has stepped down from the captaincy of the Australian team and the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals. As of now, David Warner who leads SunRisers Hyderabad has only resigned from being the vice-captain for Australia.

In such times team SunRisers is waiting for the decision of Cricket Australia before deciding the fate of David Warner for the IPL 2018. "It's very unfortunate what has happened in the Cape Town Test. As far as Sunrisers is concerned, it's too early for us to comment. Because, it was, just which has happened day before yesterday (Saturday). We will wait for the decision of Cricket Australia," said mentor VVS Laxman to a section of the media.

When asked if the team has any alternative at the back of their minds for Warner, to which he said, “The information available at the moment is very limited. So, we will wait for further information. If at all, the need be, then we will discuss about that. As far as Warner is concerned, he has been an exceptional leader for SunRisers group.”

Following the ball-tampering incident on the third day of the test match between Australia and South Africa, Steve Smith has been handed a one-match suspension and fined 100 percent of his match fee by ICC. ICC Chief Executive David Richardson laid the charge against Smith under to Article 2.2.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which prohibits to 'all types of conduct of a serious nature that is contrary to the spirit of the game’. Apart from Smith, Australia opener Cameron Bancroft has been fined 75 percent of his match fee and handed three demerit points for breaching Level 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

Apart from this, Steve Smith has also stepped down from Rajasthan Royals and Ajinkya Rahane has stepped into his shoes.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 26, 2018 07:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).