Mohammad Kaif, along with seven other players, has been axed from the Rajasthan Royals squad, according to media reports.

Mohammad Kaif will not feature in the second edition of the Indian Premier League after his team Rajasthan Royals dumped the Team India discard Wednesday.

Manoj Badale, Chairman and co-owner of the Jaipur-based franchisee, said Kaif got the boot as the team management shortlisted 17-18 players for the Twenty20 league starting on Saturday.

The only way Kaif would be back is if any other player sustains injury, he added.

"It has always been a target to pick a final squad of 17-18 players, and this year we have an even stronger squad than last year. It is disappointing to have to let go of any players, as they are all stars in our view," Badale said.

Claiming the franchisee was a close-knit family where a player's participation is not about one season alone, Badale said axed players would have a role to play in future matches and tournaments.

"Much of the attention will focus on Mohammed Kaif, who has been a key part of our success to date not just as a batsman, but as a role model for our younger Indian players. He has been extremely supportive of the decision, which says a lot about him as a person.

"Injuries and new conditions mean that the player's participation later in the tournament is not ruled out," added Badale.