RPS made it to the IPL 2017 final because of MS Dhoni: Rajat Bhatia

Back in 2016 and 2017, the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) took part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were serving their two-year suspension period. Even as in the 2016 edition, RPS flattered to deceive, they ended as the runners-up in 2017 under the leadership of Steve Smith.

In fact, it was Smith, who replaced MS Dhoni as the skipper in 2017 after the latter couldn’t perform to expectations in 2016. However, Rajat Bhatia, who played for the franchise back then, reckons that Dhoni was the reason behind RPS doing well in the IPL 2017 and not Smith. In 2017, RPS played the final against five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI).

Steve Smith didn’t even know Rahul Tripathi represents which state: Rajat Bhatia

Bhatia was clear cut in saying that unlike Dhoni, who has knowledge about the players in the team, Smith didn’t have much awareness about the members in the side. Bhatia, who retired from all forms of cricket in July 2020, stated that one can’t compare Dhoni with Smith.

“For me, a successful captain in IPL is one who is an Indian player and know the domestic cricketers very well. Smith didn’t even know Rahul Tripathi represents which state or bats at what position. We [Rising Pune Supergiant] made it to IPL 2017 final because of MS Dhoni and not Steve Smith,” Bhatia was quoted as saying in an interview with SportsTiger.

“You can never compare Dhoni with Steve Smith. If we look at all the 10 franchises, Smith doesn’t even feature in the top 10 captains for me. Smith had no idea about captaincy and he did not know which bowler to bring in amid a crucial situation and who to trust for the death overs. I was surprised that Rajasthan Royals trusted him with the leadership role and now they let them go,” he added.

Smith wasn’t a part of the 2018 IPL due to the ball-tampering scandal, but in 2019, he made his way into the Royals’ team. In the same year, he was also given the captaincy duties after Ajinkya Rahane couldn’t perform. In 2020, RR finished at the bottom of the table with Smith as the captain.

Rajat Bhatia reveals how Gautam Gambhir had his back at KKR

Former all-rounder Rajat Bhatia has talked about his experience of playing under Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag in the IPL during a recent interaction. Bhatia, who retired from all forms of cricket last year, played with both Gambhir and Sehwag for the Delhi state team and then went on to play under both of them in the IPL.

Bhatia was a member of the Kolkata Knight Riders between 2011 and 2013. He played a key role for the franchise during their triumph in 2012 under the leadership of Gambhir. During the conversation, Bhatia mentioned that whatever may be the condition, Gambhir never dropped him. He also mentioned that the southpaw had faith in him and he enjoyed every bit of the support.

“When Gautam was there as the captain of KKR, he used to prefer me in his playing 11 and made me play consistently. Sometimes, the wicket was a bit flat, and there was a need to play an extra fast bowler. But he never let me get dropped, and played me consistently.

“Big names like L Balaji or others would be dropped, but I would not get dropped. He always used to tell me that he believed in me and knew how to use me and that’s why I enjoyed playing under him,” Bhatia said during the SportsTiger’s new interview series – Interact. Personal. Laugh & Life.

There is a huge advantage if you have a captain from the same state: Rajat Bhatia

He further went on to say that if an IPL captain is also from one’s state team then it is highly advantageous for the player. To back his comments, he gave an example of Virender Sehwag. Bhatia, before coming to the KKR set-up, was part of the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons. Sehwag led Delhi in the first two seasons while Gambhir led them in 2010.

“But there is a huge advantage if you have a captain from the same state because they know what is required. Gautam knew about that and so did Virender Sehwag because I played under his captaincy in Delhi Daredevils for two years,” Bhatia added.

Bhatia, during the interaction, also said that when Gambhir took the role of a permanent captain with Delhi in 2010, he felt his captaincy lacked maturity. However, he added that with time the left-handed batsman learned the tricks of the trade. The southpaw, in fact, won two IPL titles for KKR as captain, one in 2012 and the other in 2014.