Before IPL Phase-2, Delhi Capitals has suffered a major setback as the team's key player Steve Smith is all set to miss out the remaining matches due to injury. According to the information, Smith is suffering from an elbow injury and in view of Australia's busy schedule, he has decided not to take risk playing IPL again this year. 9 players have already withdrawn from IPL. The second phase of the league may start from 19 September.
Smith recently withdrew from Australia's tour of the West Indies. Along with this, he can also withdraw from the T20 World Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in October. Smith said in a conversation with cricket.com.au, "I still wasn't quite 100 percent (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. It got to a point where it wasn't really improving much, and it probably got a little bit worse while I was over there.
Smith has taken this decision in view of the Ashes series. The Ashes will begin on December 8. He is Australia's most important player in this series against England. He scored 1,969 runs in 14 Ashes matches at an average of 93.76. During this, Smith has also scored 8 centuries. Smith played 6 matches in IPL 2021 and scored 106 runs at an average of 26.
England has already refused to allow its players for the second phase of the tournament. In such a situation, Delhi Capitals' Chris Woakes, Tom Curran have opted out of the league. There is suspense over the playing of Marcus Stoinis. However, Shimron Hetmyer will be available. Apart from Smith, Pat Cummins, Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan have already withdrawn from the league.