Rajasthan Royals Seek Replacement For Injured Steven Smith - Reports

It seems like Rajasthan Royals are once again set to miss the services of their regular skipper Steven Smith. After being banned in the previous year, they are once again set to lose him. This time, it is because of his injury that he sustained in the Bangladesh Premier League 2019.

The former Australian skipper Steve Smith will undergo a surgery to fix an elbow injury which he sustained during the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The 29-year-old is expected to be out of action for more than six weeks following the surgery.

Steven Smith will undergo surgery on Tuesday:

Meanwhile, as per a report in The Mumbai Mirror, the franchise is now seeking permission to get his replacement but it will only be allowed to do so once it confirms that Smith will not fly to India. The former Australian captain is all set to undergo surgery for his elbow on Tuesday.

Steve Smith was appointed as captain of the Rajasthan Royals before their Indian Premier League 2018 campaign. However, the former Australian captain was suspended for one year by Cricket Australia following a controversial ball-tampering scandal, which prevented him from participating in the cash-rich league last year.

Since the franchise will need a replacement for Smith, it has started the process for the same. Last year, the franchise roped in South African wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen but released him for IPL 2019.

The ban on Smith and Warner ends in the last week of March and injury at this stage comes as a big blow for him, keeping in mind his World Cup chances. There can also be a case when he might be selected in the World Cup squad without any match practice.

Smith’s absence is a major headache for Ajinkya Rahane and co. Rajasthan Royals, now, have been tasked to find a suitable replacement for their former skipper. Most probably, Ajinkya Rahane will take the captaincy reigns.