Sydney: Encouraged by his strong performance in Major League Cricket (MLC), Australia’s experienced batsman Steve Smith 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 America 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.
During this time, he was selected Player of the Match by scoring 88 runs in 52 balls in the final against San Francisco Unicorns. The San Francisco Unicorns team had international legends like Australia captain Pat Cummins and Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf.
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.” He said, “I have played very well in whatever opportunities I have got recently in T20 cricket and franchise. In such a situation, I would like to include my name in the IPL and enjoy it.”
Smith’s name was not bid in the last two auctions, hence he is not a part of IPL from 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.
He said, “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 this.” 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 job, keep trying to improve myself and get better.”