Former Australian captain Steve Smith is set to make a return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a three-year hiatus. Smith, who has been out of the IPL spotlight after going unsold in recent auctions, has now confirmed that he will be putting his name in the upcoming mega auction later this year.
Smith’s Desire to Return
- Smith’s decision to return to the IPL comes after his impressive performance in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024, where he reignited his passion for franchise cricket.
- The Australian batting star made his IPL debut in 2010 and has played for several franchises, including Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPSG).
- “I’d love to be part of the IPL once again. I’ll be putting my name in the auction,” Smith told CODE Sports.
IPL Journey So Far
- Matches Played: 103
- Total Runs: 2485
- Centuries: 1
- Fifties: 11
- Smith’s last IPL appearance was in 2021, where he struggled to find form, scoring just 152 runs from 8 games.
Recent Performance
Smith’s recent stint with the Washington Freedom team in MLC 2024 saw him leading the team to their first title win and finishing as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament. This performance has sparked his interest in returning to the IPL and making a mark once again.
Summary Table
| Year | Team | Matches Played | Total Runs | Centuries | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Delhi Capitals | 8 | 152 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Rajasthan Royals | 12 | 319 | 0 | 3 |
| 2018 | Rajasthan Royals | Did Not Play | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Overall | Multiple Teams | 103 | 2485 | 1 | 11 |