Graeme Smith out of IPL

Tue, Mar 16 2010 - After suffering two consecutive losses, the Rajasthan Royals were dealt a fresh blow, when it was confirmed that South African captain and Royals opener Graeme Smith has been ruled out of the IPL with a double fracture in his right middle finger.

Smith confirmed the news on his Twitter feed, saying "So sad to be telling you that I have a double fracture in my right middle finger, so will be missing the IPL. I'm very disappointed."

Smith added that he had hurt himself while taking the catch of Virender Sehwag, landing on his finger which got hooked into the ground.

Sehwag was batting on 75 off 33 balls when he mistimed his next ball and launched it high in the air. Smith circled under the ball, which seemed to go away from him as it came down. However, Smith flung himself in the air to pull of a spectacular catch - not knowing that the effort was going to cost him so dearly.

Smith wished the Royals luck for the campaign, and said he was going to miss the fans and being in India.

"Going to miss the Royals and India and all the fans! Going to try to get fit for the Twenty20 World Cup with South Africa," Smith added on his Twitter feed.