The Rajasthan Royals have replaced beseiged Australian Steve Smith in the top job ahead of the 2018 season

Smith relinquishes captaincy of IPL club

The Rajasthan Royals have replaced beseiged Australian Steve Smith in the top job ahead of the 2018 season

One day after standing down as Australia Test captain for the final day of the third Test in Cape Town, Steve Smith has relinquished the captaincy of Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals.

India batsman Ajinkya Rahane will succeed Smith as skipper for this season of the IPL, which starts on April 7 in Mumbai.

• Inquiry findings due on Wednesday

"Rajasthan Royals will do everything possible to protect the values and the integrity of the game," said Manoj Badale, co-owner of Rajasthan Royals. 

"We agree with Steve's decision to step down as captain, and we are fortunate to have such a capable successor with Ajinkya Rahane. 

"It is important that all cricket fans retain a balanced perspective on the situation. What happened in South Africa was clearly wrong, especially given that it appears to have been premeditated. 

"That said, this will be a difficult time for Steve as well, given how much he cares about the game." 

• Old ball tampering is no new thing                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Smith captained Rising Pune Supergiant last year and was set to lead Rajasthan in 2018 after the franchise returned to the competition after serving a two-year suspension over a corruption scandal.

          Both Smith and David Warner – who stood down as vice-captain in Newlands – were retained            by their respective franchises for A$2.4 million to make them the equal-highest paid                             Australian players in the IPL.

          Whether Smith’s fee will be reduced now that he’s lost the leadership remains unknown. 

Smith was suspended for the fourth Test in Johannesburg by the ICC after he was charged by the head of the governing body for "conduct contrary to the spirit of the game".

Smith was charged by ICC chief executive David Richardson, fined 100 per cent of his match fee and given a one-Test ban. He will have four demerit points on his record.