Smith to skipper royals in IPL 11

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★ Smith to skipper royals in IPL 11

Australia captain Steve Smith will lead the Rajasthan Royals in their return to the Indian Premier League this season, the club announced Saturday.

The appointment was broadcast live on Star Sports TV in India ahead of the franchise’s return to the lucrative tournament.

The Royals, along with the Chennai Super Kings, re-enter the competition after a two-year ban over an illegal gambling scandal handed down in 2015.

It means Smith will team up with Australian spin legend Shane Warne, who was announced as the team's mentor earlier this year.

"We came to the conclusion that Steve Smith would be the ideal candidate for the job," Zubin Bharucha, Rajasthan Royals' head of cricket, said Saturday.

"Smith has been incredible as captain of Australia. He is someone who leads the team by example."