Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been sacked as the captain of the Rising Pune Supergiants for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The franchise has appointed Australia’s Steve Smith as the new skipper.

According to sources, Dhoni has also been communicated about the decision by the franchise.

It is believed, Dhoni has extended his full co-operation and is ready to help Smith in decision-making on the field.

While Dhoni is likely to keep his place in the side, the wicketkeeper-batsman is expected to bat up the order during the 10th season.

Pune, one the two franchises to replace the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, finished seventh in their debut season last year.

Under Dhoni, the team managed to win only five of their 14 matches in the IPL 9.

Dhoni’s form was also a cause of concern for the side. He managed to score only 284 runs from 12 innings with only one fifty to his credit.

The 35-year-old is one of the three captains to have won the cash-rich T20 league twice. He led Chennai Super Kings for nine editions starting from the league’s inaugural season in 2008.

Under him, CSK won the IPL in 2010 and 2011 while the Champions League in 2010 and 2014.

Dhoni recently stepped down as India’s limited-overs captain, handing over the mantle to Virat Kohli in all three formats.

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