Steve Smith out with injury, David Warner to lead Aussies in T20 cricket series

Steve Smith, who has returned home for recovery, will be replaced by all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. David Warner will lead in the T20 cricket series vs India starting today in Ranchi.

The struggling Australian cricket team suffered a massive blow a few hours before the start of their three-match T20I series against India in Ranchi, when their captain Steven Smith was ruled out of the series due to a shoulder injury.

Steve Smith will miss the T20 series versus India. The first match will be in Ranchi on October 7. Smith is suffering from a shoulder injury. David Warner will lead the Australians in the remainder of the series against India. (AFP)

All-rounder Marcus Stonis will replace Australian captain Smith, who will be returning home for recovery. The decision to send Steve Smith home was taken on Saturday morning.

In Steve Smith’s absence, his deputy David Warner will lead Australia in a series where the visitors will be fighting for pride after suffering a 4-1 defeat in the ODI series earlier.

Steve Smith will be returning home for recovery as the build-up intensifies for the Ashes 2017-18 to be played Down Under, and will join at least two other top-flight cricketers who are on a comeback trail — Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

The Ashes 2017-18 begins November 23 at The Gabba in Brisbane.

According to cricket.com.au, Smith had skipped the training session on Friday and even had a MRI scan on his right shoulder which is sore.

“He will have further investigation upon his return to Australia but we remain confident he will be available for the start of the Sheffield Shield season,” he added.

Steve Smith had a poor ODI series in which his team suffered yet another series defeat against India.

Smith, who had amassed as many as 499 runs in the four-Test series played earlier this year between the two teams, was far off from his best in the second leg of this India tour 2017. Smith scored a mere 142 runs with two fifties in the five ODIs, averaging 28.40.

The first T20I between India and Australia will be played on Saturday evening at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, followed by the second game at Guwahati on October 10. The final game of the series will be at Hyderabad on October 13.