Steve Smith Press Conference. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Australia batter Steve Smith has revealed that he is set to make a return to the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has been playing for the IPL franchise Delhi Capitals since 2021. However, he went unsold in the 2022 IPL player auction.
On Monday, March 27, Smith announced that he would be part of the 16th edition of the IPL which will begin on March 31. He made the announcement through his official Twitter handle. Sharing a video on his Twitter account, he said that he is joining an ‘exceptional’ team in India. However, it remains uncertain in what role he will join the cash-rich league.
“Namaste India. I’ve got some exciting news for you. I am joining IPL 2023. Yes, that’s right. I am joining an exceptional and passionate team in India,” Steve Smith said in the video.
Watch the video:
Smith has represented six IPL franchises so far. The 33-year-old first joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2010. He then played for now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants, Pune Warriors India, and Kochi Tuskers Kerala (couldn’t play). He was also part of the Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals.
In the 2021 IPL, he scored 152 runs in eight matches of the Delhi Capitals. He has amassed a total of 2485 runs in 103 IPL matches at a strike rate of 128.09, which include 11 half-centuries and one century. He entered the 2022 IPL player auction at a base price of INR 2 crore but went unsold in the auction.
The former Australia skipper recently led Australia to a 2-1 win over India in the three-match ODI series in India. He was named the interim skipper for the touring party due to the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins.
Earlier, Smith was also named as the interim skipper of Australia in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He led his side to win the third Test match against India in Indore. With this win, Australia secured its spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Australia will take on India in the WTC final which will be held on June 7 at The Oval.
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