Australian all-rounder Steve Smith is set to undergo ankle surgery, ruling him out of the Indian Premier League for Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Smith, 21, is understood to have been carrying the ankle problem for much of the recent international season.
The leg-break bowler and right-handed batsman played for Royal Challengers Bangalore last season, before joining new franchise Kochi.
But surgery on his left ankle scheduled for next week means he will take no part in their inaugural IPL campaign. Smith is expected to be fit for Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka in August.
"Steve has had long-standing, minor pain in his left ankle during the Australian summer," Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.
"This is considered an opportune time to have surgery on the ankle. It will take place next week so he can adequately prepare for the upcoming Australia season."
Smith made his international debut in all three forms of the game last year, featuring in three Ashes Tests against England, as well as Australia's ICC World Cup campaign.
He was most recently part of the touring Australia team that beat Bangladesh 3-0 in one-day internationals. The series concluded on Wednesday.