Sydney. Australia’s veteran batsman Steve Smith, encouraged by his strong performance in Major League Cricket (MLC), is expected to return to the Indian Premier League next year. The 35-year-old player has been ignored for the upcoming tour of Scotland and England after the T20 World Cup. His brilliant performance in the MLC played in the US helped Washington Freedom become the league champion for the first time. He was the top scorer for his team in the last season of the league, scoring 294 runs at an average of 49.00 and a strike rate of 154.74.
Smith told ‘Fox Cricket’, “I would definitely like another chance in the IPL. I will include my name in it (players’ auction). Let’s see how I get a chance to move forward. Whatever opportunities I have got recently in T20 cricket and franchise, I have played very well. In such a situation, I would like to include my name in the IPL and enjoy it.”
PM laughingly asked, who had problem due to lack of AC, the players glared at each other, then Modi himself replied
Smith said, “I understand that keeping the World Cup in mind, they are giving preference to players who can hit big shots with ease. I am not bothered by these things. I will just keep doing my work, keep trying to improve myself and get better.”
Smith’s name was not bid in the last two auctions, so he is not a part of IPL since 2021. The player, who was ignored from the Australian team for the shortest international format of the game, said that he will focus on his game without worrying about anything else. Talking about international T20, I don’t know what is going on there (among the selectors). They have some options and they want to try them. I have no complaints about it.
IPL, Major League cricket, Steve Smith
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 16, 2024, 19:07 IST
