anticipation of IPL 2026 Mini-Auction Ten franchises are in a frenzy as they finalize their strategies to fill the remaining slots. A total of 350 players have been shortlisted for the auction, with all teams competing for only 77 available spots. Of these 77 spots, 31 are reserved for foreign players, setting the stage for a fierce bidding war, especially for top international talents. The former Australian captain to register in the highest bracket of base price of ₹2 crore is steve smithWho last participated in the league in 2021. Before the auction, the great South African fast bowler dale steyn Smith’s auction fortunes took a hit, with the veteran batsman likely not to receive the aggressive bidding that many had expected.
Dale Steyn’s direct opinion on Steve Smith’s IPL 2026 mini auction prospects
Speaking on a Star Sports video segment ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, Dale Steyn gave a candid assessment of Smith’s prospects, arguing that modern team management prioritizes current T20 form over reputation and experience. Stan was presented with the statement: “Dale, I’ll make some statements. If you agree then say the truth. If you don’t agree then say false. Someone is going to bid very aggressively for Steve Smith just for the experience factor.” The South African great immediately and strongly disagreed with this premise, providing a measured explanation that underlines the evolving, data-driven nature of the IPL bid.
Stan’s full response was: “Wrong. I think teams are smart enough now to understand how much money they have and who they want to bid for and if Steven Smith goes to a team, I think he will, unfortunately, go pretty cheap.” The prediction highlights the perceived gap between Smith’s undisputed Test pedigree and his recent T20 currency, suggesting franchises will not spend much on a player whose role in the explosive T20 format is often debated. Steyn’s view suggests that teams are focusing on young, power-hitting specialists to maximize their purse, making Smith’s ₹2 crore base price look like a risk rather than a bargain.
Also read: Explained: Why Cameron Green’s IPL 2026 bid won’t cross Rs 18 crore in auction war?
Steve Smith’s ups and downs IPL journey
Smith’s IPL career has been a fascinating mix of leadership, occasional brilliance and periods of poor performance, which ultimately led to him going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, a reminder of his dwindling T20 stock. The Australian began his IPL journey as a leg spinner before becoming one of cricket’s premier batsmen, and his involvement has been marked by stints with several franchises, including Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals (which he captained), Rising Pune Supergiant And Delhi Capitals,
His statistical record is solid but not spectacular for the T20 format, having played over 100 matches and scoring close to 2,500 runs with a solitary century. However, his strike rate often remains below the explosive benchmark required of top foreign batsmen, especially in the middle order.
Following his release by Delhi after the 2021 season, Smith remained unsold in 2025, forcing him to take up commentary roles and play in the BBL, where he proved his talent by equaling the record for most runs. Big Bash League (BBL) Centuries. Despite his status as one of the best batsmen in the world, this recent unsold record and the base price of ₹2 crore for the 2026 auction puts him in a precarious position, lending credence to Steyn’s prediction of a potentially low selling price for the experienced campaigner.
