I Don’t Think Steve Smith Is Going To Give Up 11 Weeks Away From His Partner For Rs 2.2 Crore: Michael Clarke

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has reckoned that his compatriot Steve Smith will not be too keen to leave his wife and family for 11 weeks and turn up for the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League due to his low auction price of Rs 2.2 crore.

Steve Smith was picked up by the Ricky Ponting-led Delhi Capitals for a meagre price of Rs 2.2 crore in the recently-concluded IPL 2021 auction. The former Australian captain was released by the Jaipur-based Rajasthan Royals ahead of the auction following his disappointing performance with both bat as well as a leader in the 2020 edition of the cash-rich league.

In 14 games, Steve Smith managed a mere 311 runs at an average of 25.91 and a strike-rate of 131.22. Even as a leader, Smith failed to impress with his on-field tactics and team-selection as his side finished with the wooden spoon.

While Michael Clarke accepted that Smith’s performance was not up to the mark last season, he is still surprised that the former Aussie skipper failed to insinuate a bidding war at the auction table and went for as low as Rs 2.2 crore.

The former World Cup-winning skipper said that one should not be surprised if Smith pulls his hamstring a day prior to his flight for India.

“You talk about Steve Smith if he’s not the best batsman in the world, he’s not far away. Virat Kohli is number one, but Smithy is in the top three,” Michael Clarke said on the Big Sports Breakfast Podcast. “I know his T20 performances haven’t been as good as he would have like last year’s IPL he wasn’t great. I’m very surprised he has gone for the amount of money he has, just under $400,000 which is still good money,” he added.

“But when you look at what he was getting (last season) and his role as captain of Rajasthan, don’t be surprised if there’s a little hamstring strain the day the plane is meant to fly to India,” he said.

“For him to go away for an eight-week tournament and quarantine before the tournament starts call it 11 weeks. I don’t think he is going to give up 11 weeks away from his family and his partner for $380,000,” Michael Clarke added.

Clarke further added that he is keen to see if Steve Smith decides to participate in the completion to prove people wrong.

“I’m really interested to see if he gets a tight hamstring and doesn’t go. Or if it goes the other and he says I do want to go and play in this T20 World Cup and I do want to get picked up for more money in the next IPL. I am going to go there, I don’t care for the money and will prove people wrong.” he signed off.

Also Read: Steve Smith Doesn’t Fit Into The Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Gautam Gambhir