Australia’s batting star, Steve Smith has revealed that he will be featuring in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by hinting at a return to the league. However, Smith did not reveal in what capacity he would return to India as he didn’t enroll for the mini-auction which was held in Kochi in December 2022. Smith has played for as many as 6 IPL franchises but he has not played in the IPL since the 2021 season.
The Australia vice-captain went unsold in the IPL 2022 auction after which he decided to pull out of the auction ahead of the 2023 season. In a video message on social media, Steve Smith said, “Namaste India. I have got some exciting news for you. I am joining IPL 2023. I am joining an exceptional and passionate team in India.”
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Smith has played 103 matches in the IPL and hit 2485 runs, including a century, between 2012 and 2021. The former Australia Test captain also led the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017 with MS Dhoni playing under him before he took over the reigns of Chennai Super Kings in 2018.
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) March 27, 2023
According to media reports, Steve Smith will be joining the IPL commentary team this season after finding no takers in the player auction last year. With broadcast and digital rights of IPL going to different firms, there is a competition to get the best in the business for the analysis and commentary in the 2023 season. It remains to be seen how Smith handles his commitments as he signed up to play as many as 3 first-class matches for Sussex in the County Championship season in May.
– Virat Kohli.
– Steven Smith.
– Joe Root.
– Kane Williamson.– The Fab 4 will be part of an IPL season for the first time in history. Smith will be doing commentary!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 27, 2023
Steve Smith was lauded for his captaincy during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the ODI series that followed against India in February-March. Under Smith, Australia won the ODI series 2-1 earlier in March to end India’s 4-year unbeaten streak in the 50-over format at home.
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Smith took over as Test captain when the visiting Australian side was in the doldrums after losing the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in February. Smith stood in for Pat Cummins, who had to leave India after the first two Tests to be with his mother, who passed away earlier in March.
