IPL 2025: Teams Competing to Sign Steve Smith
Australia cricketer Steve Smith, a premier batter in international cricket, last appeared in India’s premier T20 competition as a part of the Delhi Capitals franchise in the IPL 2021 edition. Despite his impressive international credentials, Smith has faced challenges securing a spot in recent IPL seasons.
Smith’s IPL Journey
Steve Smith has played for six IPL teams, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kochi Tuskers Kerala (now-defunct), Pune Warriors (now-defunct), Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, and Delhi Capitals. He went unsold in the 2022 auction and chose not to register for the mini-auction in the IPL 2023 season.
Recent Form and IPL 2024 Auction
Smith registered for the IPL 2024 auction held in Dubai but failed to attract bidders, going unsold. Despite this, Smith’s recent form in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 has been outstanding. He scored 134 runs in 5 games at an average of 67, with a strike rate around 140, and his best score being an unbeaten 46*.
Chennai Super Kings
The five-time IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings, might target Steve Smith to replace Rachin Ravindra, who underperformed after being secured for INR 1.8 crore. Smith’s versatility, being able to play as an opener or in the middle-order, makes him an attractive option for CSK.
Punjab Kings
The Punjab Kings have struggled to secure an IPL trophy since the league’s inception. They may look to sign Steve Smith to replace Jonny Bairstow, who had an inconsistent season last year, scoring 298 runs in 11 games at an average of 29.80. Smith’s stability and experience could be the key to PBKS’s success.
Rajasthan Royals
Steve Smith spent significant time with the Rajasthan Royals, playing from 2014 to 2015 and 2019 to 2020. The Royals might consider bringing Smith back to replace Shimron Hetmyer, who scored only 113 runs in 12 games at an average of 22.60. Smith’s ability to stabilize the middle order or finish games strongly could be beneficial for the team.
Conclusion
Steve Smith’s technical prowess and recent form in MLC 2024 make him a valuable prospect for IPL teams. Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals are three teams that could be in the race to sign him in the IPL 2025 auction. His inclusion could potentially turn around their fortunes in the upcoming season.(Dubai7-Realmoneygame)