Sahara Pune Warriors faced yet another injury issue when South African opening batsman Graeme Smith was ruled out of IPL 2012 due to an ankle surgery. It will take at least 2 months for Smith to return to cricket ground as reported by media. South Africa’s Team Manager, Dr Mohammed Moosjee said: “Graeme went to see CSA’s ankle specialist in Cape Town this weekend and he confirmed that the best management of the chronic pain in his ankle is surgery.

Graeme Smith also expressed his disappointment and said, “The recovery period after such a surgery usually takes 8-10 weeks, and he will subsequently not be able to represent Pune Warriors at the 2012 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in India. I’m very disappointed to be missing out on the IPL this year.”