Virender Sehwag happy' with MS Dhoni's removal as Rising Pune Supergiants skipper

Pune: MS Dhoni stepped-down as Rising Pune Supergiants skipper as Australia captain Steve Smith was appointed to the role, one day ahead of the 2017 IPL players’ auction. Dhoni’s former teammate Virender Sehwag said he was happy with decision.

“I am happy that he isn't captain because maybe now my team, Kings XI Punjab, can beat this Pune team," said Sehwag, who heads cricket operations for another IPL side Kings XI Punjab.

"On a serious note, I believe that this is an internal decision of the franchise but he is one of the best-ever captains India has ever had," added Sehwag at a session in ‘SporTale’, a sports-themed literary festival.

Dhoni had been captain of an IPL side in all of previous nine editions. The wicketkeeper-batsman led now suspended franchise Chennai Super Kings during the first eight seasons, also winning the domestic league title in 2010 and 2011.

Dhoni moved to RPS in 2016, where he was made the skipper. The franchise, however, endured a disappointing debut season as they finished seventh.