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Australia batsman Steve Smith dropped by Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals after 'cheating' controversy in Test series

Steve Smith was released by Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday, a week after causing uproar on the subcontinent by scratching away Rishabh Pant’s batting guard during a Test in Sydney.

Australia batsman Smith, 31, was captain of the Royals but has been replaced by Sanju Samson.

It also emerged on Tuesday that Smith’s £100,000 contract for the delayed Hundred competition is under threat, after Welsh Fire offered Jonny Bairstow one of the top-bracket slots belonging to Smith and Mitchell Starc.

Steve Smith was released by Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday

The England trio of Jofra Archer — the IPL’s reigning MVP — Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler have all been retained, but their international colleague Tom Curran was released ahead of next month’s auction.