Explosive South Africa wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen has replaced former Australian skipper Steve Smith in Rajasthan Royals’ squad.
The official Twitter handle of the Indian Premier League announced that RR had picked Heinrich Klaasen as the replacement for Steve Smith.
” NEWS: South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen to replace Steve Smith in @rajasthanroyals’ squad for VIVO IPL 2018,” the tweet read.
NEWS: South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen to replace Steve Smith in @rajasthanroyals‘ squad for VIVO IPL 2018.
More details here – https://t.co/pw3YmNuQrh pic.twitter.com/qbDiOOptn6
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 2, 2018
Klassen was picked for Rs 50 lakh from the Registered and Available Player Pool (RAPP) list.
Heinrich Klaasen made his international debut against India in One Day International in the recently concluded Freedom Cup and picked up the Man of the Match award in his second ODI.
Following his debut in the 50-over game, Klaasen made his debut in the T20 International against India.
Earlier, in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday banned disgraced Australian cricketers David Warner and Steven Smith from participating in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
With Smith out, India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was given the responsibility to lead Rajasthan Royals.
Talking about Smith’s replacement, RR’s head of cricket Bharucha told Times of India: “Our aim was to get someone who can play spin well because we are pretty sure that spinners will have a big role to play during the IPL.”
“Klaasen is an amazing player of spin. And he has a vast array of shots, which tempted us to go for him. He plays the reverse sweep very well, something that will be quite useful in the IPL,” Bharucha further added.
Bharucha also further admitted that when Klaasen was approached for the same, he said yes.
RR’s head of cricket also praised Klaasen’s skills of hitting spinners. In the recently concluded India’s South Africa tour, the way Klaasen countered Indian spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav impressed Bharucha.
“His strategy against them was just amazing,” Bharucha revealed.
Bharucha also announced that former Australian player Steve Smith will be Back in RR squad next year.
“Smith will be back with us next year and we did not want to end up with two similar players. Our idea was to build the team keeping three years in mind. Even after Smith is back, Klaasen will be very useful for us.”