Only BCCI can answer that, Steve Smith on why he didn't play IPL last year
He and Warner weren't allowed to play last year in the IPL following the ball-tampering saga.
The estranged Australia cricketing duo Steve Smith and David Warner have almost served their ban period, of 12 months, and are back into the cricketing scene again. While the stern step was taken by the Cricket Australia (CA), over and above the ICC’s decision of a one-match ban, the BCCI had acted deliberately to further ban the then Rajasthan Royals skipper Smith and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s David Warner from the 2018 edition of the IPL.
The ball tampering charges were held against the former Australian captain and vice-captain, after they, along with the relatively junior Cameron Bancroft, were caught on camera, during an away Test series in South Africa. But the bans were only limited to international cricket and the pair was well within their rights to play domestic T20 league like the BCCI’s Indian Premier League (IPL).
In the light of the same, the former Australian captain said that only the Indian board can answer why it panned out that way. Despite Cricket Australia‘s one-year ban from international cricket, he was fully eligible to participate in any domestic T20 league, including the IPL. However, the richest cricket board in the world decided to inflict their own coercive measures.
Smith is all ready for the IPL Test ahead of the World Cup
Steve Smith, who underwent elbow surgery earlier this year will be available for Rajasthan Royals‘ first game on March 25. However, the one-year ban that was imposed on him ends on March 29. Smith has joined the RR camp already but his availability to play will depend on the condition of his elbow.
During a promotional event on Friday, March 22, Smith slyly denigrated the BCCI .“I am available for all the matches and BCCI has to answer why I was not allowed to play earlier.”
He advanced to another topic and spoke about the jersey launch ceremony and that he was looking forward to the tournament. “It is exciting to be back on the field and I am looking forward to the tournament,” he was quoted saying. In fact, it’s fair to say that the IPL performance will be a test for Smith and Warner right ahead of the World Cup and will also determine their inclusion in the Aussie World Cup squad.
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