Injured players whose absence proved costly for teams throughout IPL history

#2 IPL 2010

Graeme Smith's absence

co-incided

with Rajasthan Royals' dismal showing in the IPL 2010

Two seasons later and another opening batsman had to sit out of the cash-lucrative competition.

The then South African captain Graeme Smith suffered a finger injury just before the start of the tournament.

This was a massive blow for Rajasthan Royals, a team that was dominated with the presence of younger Indian players rather than superstars.

In fact, Smith was named ‘The Rock at the Top’ by captain Shane Warne, during their 2008 winning campaign.

However, the Royals could not replicate their success ever since then and in the IPL 2010, they finished at a dismal seventh position in the points table.

If Smith was present and with his experience in Indian conditions, who knows, the Royals may have done better than the final outcome.