The experienced Australian duo Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months from all type of cricket due to the ball-tampering scandal. They have nearly served the period and are all set to back in the squad. However, BCCI took some strict decision last year and they were not part of the IPL 2018 for their respective sides Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

However, the ball tampering case did happen against South Africa in an away test series where the charges were on the former Australian captain and vice-captain, and their junior Cameron Bancroft. But they were banned from international cricket only and there were no restrictions of their play in the domestic T20 league like Indian Premier League (IPL).

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Meanwhile, the former Australian captain said that only BCCI can answer the question of why they didn’t get to play. They were only banned from international cricket and was fully eligible to play any domestic T20 league, including the IPL. But BCCI didn’t give them permission to play.

However, Steve Smith has recently undergone elbow surgery earlier this year and will play for Rajasthan Royals in their first game on March 25. However, the one-year ban will end on March 29. Though Smith has joined the camp already, only his condition of the elbow can say his availability to play.

Meanwhile, during a promotional event on Friday, Smith expressed that, “I am available for all the matches and BCCI has to answer why I was not allowed to play earlier.”

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He further added, “It is exciting to be back on the field and I am looking forward to the tournament.” In fact, this IPL will help him prior to the mega event – the ICC World Cup.