Rising Pune Supergiants Owner Sanjiv Goenka has reportedly said that they replaced the former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni only because they wanted to have a young captain leading the side. "Frankly speaking, Dhoni has not stepped down. We have appointed Steve Smith as the skipper for the upcoming season. we did not have a good last season and we wanted someone young to lead the side and revamp it ahead of the upcoming season” said Goenka. The franchise owner further added, "I have the highest regard for MS Dhoni as a leader and a person. He is supportive of the decision keeping the franchise's best interests in mind".