How Australia great Steve Smith gave his lost shot at reviving IPL career?

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Steve Smith, one of the best batters of the generation, has failed to live up to the expectation in T20 cricket. His T20 stocks crashed to the lowest after he wasn't included in Australia squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.

The 35-year-old star batter has also found it difficult to get a place in IPL. The number of teams in IPL have gone to ten, but the legendary batter still failed to find a spot last season. His last IPL appearance came back in 2021.

The former Rajasthan Royals captain was bought by Rs 2.20 by Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2021, down by more than Rs 10 crore what he was getting at Rajasthan Royals (Rs 12.50 crore). However, he got to play only eight matches in which he scored 152 runs at an average of 25.33, and a strike rate of 112.59.

After playing 11 T20I matches for Australia in 2022, Smith has played only two T20Is in 2023, and two so far in 2024. Smith has an average of 24.86 and a strike rate of 125.45 in 67 T20I matches he has played for Australia.

In the IPL, the right-hander has played 103 T20Is and scored 2485 runs at an average of 34.51 and a strike rate of 128.09. He also has an IPL hundred to his name.

MLC 2024 campaign to help Steve Smith revive his T20 and IPL career?

The Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 campaign as the captain of Washington Freedom would have given Steve Smith hopes to revive his T20 and IPL career. Though the difference between the quality of cricket played in IPL and BBL is massive, Smith made a statement by leading his team to title triumph in MLC 2024.

In the final against San Francisco Unicorns on Monday, Steve Smith opened the innings top-scored for his team with 88 off 52 balls. The innings consisted of seven fours and six sixes. The likes of Travis Head (9), Glenn Maxwell (40) and Rachin Ravindra (11) were also part of Smith-led Washington Freedom.

Under Steve Smith's captaincy, Washington Freedom lost only once in MLC 2024. He also finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer. He scored 336 runs in nine matches at an average of 56 and a strike rate of 148.67.

With the IPL 2025 mega auction to be held this year, Steve Smith would be eyeing for a strong comeback in the world's biggest T20 league.