After Australia, Rajasthan Royals sack Smith as captain

"I am embarrassed. I know the boys in the shed are embarrassed as well. Being the leader, I am incredibly sorry. If we weren't caught, I would still regret it," Smith had said.

"We saw this game as such as an important game. We've seen the ball reversing through this series and this ball didn't seem like it was going to go. It's such poor actions. Deeply regrettable and won't happen again. I can promise you. I can promise you this is the first time it has happened.

Both Bancroft and Smith admitted to their crime in the press conference after the day‘s play. "The leadership group knew about it. We spoke about it at lunch. I am not proud of what's happened. It's not within the spirit of the game. My integrity, the team's integrity and the leadership group's integrity has come into question. It won't happen again,” said Smith.

Video footages emerged of Australian opener Cameron Bancroft using a sharp object to change the condition of the ball. When questioned by the umpires, Bancroft handed them a black cloth and the umpires let the game go on.

However, the cricketing world was taken by storm when the official broadcasters aired footages clearly showing Bancroft using a sharp yellow object to scruff up the ball and then hiding it under his pants

The knee jerk reaction came after the Australian captain accepted his involvement in the ball tampering during the third day’s play at Cape Town.

According to sources, Sunrisers Hyderabad is also set to walk on the same lines of Royals and relieve David Warner from the captaincy role. Both Smith and Warner were retained as the first option, paying the highest amount by Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The decision came hours after Cricket Australia confirmed that captain Smith and vice-captain David Warner have stood down and wicket-keeper Tim Paine will lead Australia for the remainder of the third Test match against South Africa.

It is believed that the Rajasthan-based franchise, which is making a comeback in the IPL after serving a two-year ban, did not want to attract anther controversy by continuing with Smith as their captain.

India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is set to take over reins from Smith, though Royals are yet to make an official announcement.

Steve Smith’s cricketing career hit an all time low after IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals too removed him from the captaincy role after Australian cricket team following his involvement in the ball tampering during third South Africa Australia Test match at Cape Town.