Picture Credit: IPL/BCCI
Australian cricketer and star batter Steve Smith has decided not to take part in the second edition of the IPL which is set to begin in September in the UAE. The Delhi Capitals player will prepare for the Ashes instead. Steve Smith has been battling an elbow injury and has not recovered completely. He was also seen struggling during the first half of the tournament.
“I still wasn’t quite 100 per cent (during the IPL), it was still bothering me a bit, and I was playing over there medicated – taking some painkillers and anti-inflammatories every time I batted,” he said to Cricket.com.au. Smith, however, expressed interest in taking part in the T20 World Cup.
“I’d love to be part of the World Cup, for sure, but from my point of view, Test cricket, that’s my main goal – to be right for the Ashes and try to emulate what I’ve done in the last few Ashes series I’ve been involved in,” said Smith.
Smith played at number three for Delhi Capitals in the first half of the tournament and did not perform as expected. He featured in six of the games and scored 106 runs at an average of 26.
The Delhi Capitals team management, however, have not yet said anything on Smith's unavailability for the second phase of the IPL. It is to be noted that speedster Pat Cummins, who plays for KKR, has already ruled himself out of the tournament. Also, the availability of some other Australian players is yet to be confirmed by CA.
Delhi Capitals is currently sitting at the top of the points table with 12 points from 8 games. Rishabh Pant was captaining the side in absence of Shreyas Iyer, who missed the first half due to an injury.