Steve Smith IPL 2021: All the IPL teams announced the retained and released players for the upcoming season. Many star players have been released but the big news came from the Rajasthan Royals camp as they released their captain – Steve Smith from their squad. Steve Smith whose price was a whopping 12.5 CR has been released and will be in the Mini Auction which will be held in February 2021.
Rajasthan Royals have announced Sanju Samson as their captain for the upcoming season. Steve Smith didn’t have a great IPL last season as he scored only 311 runs in 14 innings at an average of 25.91 and a strike-rate of 131.22 as RR finished last in the points table. Some teams will be looking at Steve Smith and should target him in the upcoming Auction. So, let’s have a look at the four teams who should target Steve Smith in the IPL Auction.
4. Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals haven’t released a lot of players as they reached the Finals of the last season. Some of their players had a great season which meant that they ended as runners-up in IPL 2020. DC has released Alex Carey and Keemo Paul who could have been possible middle-order options for them.
They could think for an overseas middle-order batsman if Marcus Stoinis is going to open the innings. If Stoinis is going to bat in the middle-order then they might target an opener and Steve Smith fits both these roles. He opened the batting for RR in the last season and did well in those games whereas he has batted in the middle-order as well. DC should look at a player like Steve Smith who can bring experience to a young team.
3. Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings have released six players but five of those are Indian which means they have seven out of the eight overseas slots filled. Only one overseas slot is up for grabs and CSK should target an overseas batsman due to the absence of Shane Watson.
If the IPL is held in India and the home and away format is there then CSK will play seven games at Chepauk in Chennai where they will need a batsman who can play spin well. Steve Smith is the best candidate for the job. He might not hit those big sixes but he will chase down the 160 totals with much ease and that’s exactly what CSK wants. It would be a good buy for CSK if they get in Steve Smith.
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore
Despite making the playoffs, RCB has retained only 12 players which is a surprising move. They have released the likes of Aaron Finch, Moeen Ali, and Chris Morris. RCB’s batting is completely relying on Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers and they would need a strong batsman to match them.
Steve Smith could be a great option and the combination of Steve Smith with Virat Kohli would be something to watch out for. We have all seen Kohli and ABD but Kohli and Smith could be a great combo and that’s why RCB should get Smith in the auction.
1. Kings XI Punjab
Kings XI Punjab has released their most expensive player from the last Auction – Glenn Maxwell. He had an abysmal season, and it was pretty much certain that they would release him. KXIP has a player like Nichols Pooran but apart from him, they don’t have many middle-order overseas batsmen. The opening combination is sorted with KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal.
Steve Smith could be a good replacement for Glenn Maxwell. Smith can’t smash sixes like Maxwell, but that role can be played by Pooran and Smith can be the anchor. KXIP lacked a solid batsman in the middle-order and Smith is the right guy for them. They have a purse of more than 53 CR, so they should surely go for Smith in the upcoming Auction.
