Australian batting is excellent steve smith I have discussed my possible return to Indian Premier League (IPL) During the upcoming 2026 mini-auction. Smith, widely known for his incredible achievements in Test cricket, made the comments during a conversation with his former IPL teammate Kevin Pietersen On the latter’s YouTube channel.
Steve Smith addresses speculation about his entry in the IPL 2026 auction
Smith openly expressed his strong desire to return to the IPL, emphasizing the unmatched quality and competitive environment of the tournament. The Australian great confirmed his participation in the upcoming auction, telling Pietersen, “I’ll be attending the auction. Yes, and we’ll see how we get on.” [Base price?] Max.”
This announcement confirmed that Smith intended to set his base price at the highest possible bracket, once again signaling his commitment to being a part of the league. He pointed out that all international players enjoy playing in the IPL as it features the best global talent, noting that Indian players, in particular, do not participate in any other worldwide T20 league.
Smith respects IPL a lot “Still the premier T20 tournament,” His motivation for the comeback was highlighted. During his discussion, he also spoke about his preference to bat at the top of the order in T20I cricket, stating that most players generally enjoy this position due to the favorable batting conditions, which include flat pitches and field restrictions available at the start of the innings.
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Smith’s extensive IPL career for various franchises
Smith’s desire to return to the IPL is rooted in his already extensive history in the league, where he has performed for a number of franchises over the years. During his IPL career, Smith has scored 2,485 runs in 93 innings, including one century. He has played a leadership role in the tournament before and has captained both Rajasthan Royals and inactive Rising Pune Supergiants,
Apart from his captaincy stints, the Australian has also played several Pune Warriors India And, recently, Delhi CapitalsRecognized as one of the best Test batsmen of the 21st century, the star batsman is currently at a stage in his career where he is prioritizing his T20 participation, especially keeping in mind, LA Olympic Games 2028. His plan to enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction follows several weeks of speculation and shows his determination to secure an IPL contract for next season.
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