IPL: Rajasthan welcome ex-SL skipper Sangakkara as Director of Cricket ahead of auctions

After effecting a leership change, IPL inaugural champions Rajasthan have anunced a change in manment as y eye to end ir 12-year trophy drought in IPL 2021. franchise anunced former Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara as ir new Director of Cricket ahe of mini-auction slated to be held in February. 

Taking over his new role, former Sri Lankan skipper remarked that he is 'thrilled' to be on board. Sangakkara will work in tandem with Australia's Andrew McDonald who is set to reprise his role as He Coach of Rajasthan. anuncement comes days after franchise let go of skipper Steve Smith and passed on leership buck to young Sanju Samson for upcoming season of IPL. 

On deline day of submitting its players' retention list, franchise anunced that y would be retaining most of its squ. Rajasthan are only franchise to have released just a single-player - Steve Smith. squ has retained all its bigwigs including Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and even David Miller despite Proteas power-hitter failing to have an impact in previous edition. After submitting ir retention list, franchise h an amount of Rs 34.85 crores remaining in its purse. 

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Uthappa tred off to Chennai 

MS Dhoni-led Chennai anunced ir first acquiring of tring window which has been opened up until February 4. Chennai have acquired services of veteran wicket-keeper batsman Robin Uthappa from Rajasthan in an all-cash deal, franchise anunced on late Thursday night. move comes despite team's criticism of housing several senior players, a factor which contributed to its dismal performance in IPL 2020. 

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Taking to Twitter, franchise anunced its first tre of season on Thursday ding to its 18-man strong squ that it retained on Wednesday. franchise let go of veteran spinner Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh along with Kedar Jhav increase its purse amount in a bid to inject fresh blood into lineup during mini-auction slated to be held in February.

Speaking on development, Robin Uthappa said, "I really enjoyed my year at Royals and h a great time being part of this franchise. I am w excited for next part of my cricketing journey joining Chennai for IPL 2021."

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