Klaasen replaces Smith in IPL's Royals team

NEW DELHI, Apr 2 (AFP): South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen replaced on Monday Australia's scandal-tainted captain Steve Smith in the Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals team for the season that starts this week.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Klaasen, who made his one-day and T20 debut against India in February, was signed from the available player pool in a $78,000 deal, the IPL said.

The 26-year-old made an immediate impression during South Africa's recent series against India. He was named man of the match in the second ODI.

Smith, 28, and his deputy David Warner were banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months over a ball-tampering scandal during the recent third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.