"He'll be back in the IPL" - Former wicket-keeper makes huge prediction on veteran Australian batter

Veteran Australia batter Steve Smith made a massive statement with a thumping century for the Sydney Sixers against the Perth Scorchers in his first Big Bash League (BBL) match of the 2024-25 season. Opening the innings, the right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 121 runs off 64 deliveries.

Smith's T20 credentials have always been questioned despite his resurgence in the format, especially after he began opening the innings. After playing only one match in the 2022 T20 World Cup on home soil, he recorded consecutive hundreds in the 2022-23 Big Bash League (BBL).

He made sporadic appearances for the national team in 2023 and early 2024 but was not selected for the 2024 T20 World Cup. His exclusion drew mixed calls as some felt his style of batting was conducive to the sluggish tracks in the Caribbean. However, Australia were eliminated in the Super 8 stage, failing to qualify for the semi-finals for the second edition running.

Former Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin feels that Steve Smith will be rewarded with an IPL contract if he keeps up his T20 exploits.

"He did it in the American league where they went through undefeated with Ricky Ponting’s team … but his role for the last 10 years (for Australia) has been to bat in the middle and play spin, get off strike and accumulate runs,” Haddin said (via Yahoo Sports)

“He’ll be back in the IPL. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. (Against Perth) Steve Smith scored all around the wicket. He put pressure back on the bowlers… he plays a different role now. He sees himself as a power hitter. It was an absolute masterclass from Smith," he added

Smith led the Washington Freedom to the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 title right after his snub from the World Cup squad. He finished the tournament as the joint second-highest run-scorer alongside his teammate, Travis Head.

Steve Smith last played in the IPL during the 2021 season

Steve Smith began his IPL career with the Pune Warriors India in the 2012 season as a middle-order batter. He then had a two-part stint with the Rajasthan Royals, and he also led the Rising Pune Supergiant to the IPL 2017 final.

He led the Rajasthan Royals until the 2020 season, before being released. The Australian batter then had a one-year stint with the Delhi Capitals (DC). Since the last three auctions he has not attracted a bid, and as a result, has remained unsold on each of those occasions.