Smith to miss rest of IPL

Graeme Smith remains hopeful of being fit for the World Twenty20 next month despite a double fracture of a finger

South Africa captain Graeme Smith has been ruled out of the rest of the Indian Premier League due to a finger injury.

Smith suffered the injury while taking a catch to dismiss Virender Sehwag during the Rajasthan Royals’ defeat of the Delhi Daredevils in Ahmedabad yesterday.

He is now in doubt for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean, which starts on April 30.

Smith’s injury is a huge blow to the Royals who have struggled with their batting.

Shane Warne’s side have already suffered consecutive defeats.

“I have a double fracture in my right middle finger, so will be missing the IPL. I’m very disappointed,” Smith said on his Twitter page.

“I hurt it taking the catch off Sehwag last night. When I landed my finger got hooked in the ground. Going to try and get fit for the Twenty20 World Cup.”