# Sports

IPL 2017: Dhoni removed as Rising Pune Supergiants captain

Australia's Steve Smith is to take over the captaincy.

SNS | New Delhi | February 19, 2017 7:48 am

IPL 2017: Dhoni removed as Rising Pune Supergiants captain

IPL franchise Rising Pune Supergiants has removed Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the team's captain on Sunday for their 10th edition.

"I have the highest regard for MS Dhoni as a leader and a person. Dhoni will continue to be an important part of our team. He is supportive of the decision keeping the franchisee's best interests in mind," the franchise's owner Sanjiv Goenka said in a statement.

The wicketkeeper has been the skipper of IPL team Chennai Super Kings from 2008-2015 before taking charge of Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016.

The move comes after Dhoni stepped down from the Indian captaincy in the limited-overs format before the start of the England series.

Australia's Steve Smith is to take over the captaincy for the upcoming 10IPL, starting from April 5-May 21.

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