IPL 2019: Rajasthan Royals seek permission to replace Steve Smith

The Rajasthan Royals have been dealt with a huge blow with Steve Smith getting ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former Australian captain is set to undergo the elbow surgery and has also pulled out of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Meanwhile, the Royals are seeking permission to replace Smith for the upcoming season.

According to the reports in the Mumbai Mirror, the franchise will only be able to replace Steve Smith if the cricketer confirms that he won’t be flying to India to participate in the tournament. The Royals had replaced him with Heinrich Klaasen last year after the Australian was banned for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal. It will be interesting to see, who they will look out for once Smith’s news is confirmed.

Smith’s comeback to be delayed?

Meanwhile, Steve Smith’s international comeback is also likely to be delayed. He will have to wear a brace for close to six weeks before starting the rehabilitation process. This has also put him in serious doubt for the ODI series against Pakistan which will most probably be played in the last week of March.

He is in the race against time to get fit for the World Cup as well. The mega-event is all set to begin on May 30 and if selected, Smith will go into the World Cup without any match practice. With the player of his stature, it looks unlikely that the selectors will keep him out of the squad as the Men in Yellow will look to defend the title. In the meantime, David Warner might don the jersey once again during the Pakistan series.

He will get some time to spend with his teammates before flying to England. Though it remains to be seen if he is selected in the team having conceded that his career is over after he was banned last year.

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