Klaasen Named Steve Smith’s Replacement For Rajasthan Royals

New Delhi: The BCCI today approved South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen as the replacement for former Australian skipper Steve Smith in the Rajasthan Royals team for the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League.

Smith has been barred from this year's IPL after Cricket Australia banned him for one year for his involvement in the ball tampering controversy during the third Test match against South Africa in Cape Town last month.

"The wicketkeeper batsman was picked for INR 50 lakh from the Registered and Available Player Pool (RAPP) list," BCCI stated in a media release.

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"I am thankful to the Rajasthan Royals for giving me this opportunity and making me part of the squad. It would be my first IPL and in fact my first ever visit to India so I am really excited to be teaming up and sharing the dressing room with some great names. I have made it my mission to ensure my performance makes a large impact for my team in the tournament," Klaasen said.

The 26-year-old Klaasen recently made his international debut against India in the 50-over format and picked up the Man-of-the-Match award in his second ODI. He then made his debut in the shortest format of the game in the following three-match T20I series. He has so far played four ODIs and 3 T20 Internationals. PTI