Steve Smith Doesn't Fit Into The Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Gautam Gambhir

Former India and Kolkata Knight Riders cricketer Gautam Gambhir has said that he doesn’t see former Australian captain Steve Smith break into the Delhi Capitals playing 11 in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.

Steve Smith, who captained Rajasthan Royals in the past two seasons, was back in the auction pool after he was released by the Jaipur-led franchise ahead of the mini-auction. The Delhi Capitals acquitted the services of Smth at a poultry sum of Rs 2.2 Crore.

The Capitals’ decision to bid for Steve Smith has surprised quite a few given the fact they already boast of the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, and Shreyas Iyer at the top of the order followed by the likes of Rishabh Pant, Shimron Hetmyer, and Marcus Stoinis.

“Steve Smith doesn’t fit into the Delhi Capitals playing XI. They are probably too top heavy, where are they going to push him. They have got Shikhar Dhawan, who was in very good form, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant,” said Gautam Gambhir on Star Sports.

Gambhir added that in Shimron Hetmyer,  Marcus Stoinis, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje, Delhi Capitals already have four certain starters as far as the overseas players are concerned and he doesn’t see Steve Smith break in the playing 11.

“They will definitely play Shimron Hetmyer in the middle order and Marcus Stoinis. Anrich Nortje and Rabada did really really well for them. Now they have got Chris Woakes as well. So, I don’t see him actually in the playing XI,” added Gambhir.

Sydney to Delhi ?

Steve Smith will come with a whole lot of anticipation, all of us and our fans will welcome him with a whole lot of love ?#IPLAuction2021 #YehHaiNayiDilli @SteveSmith49 pic.twitter.com/ju9PuXmWvp

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 18, 2021

Gautam Gambhir gives his ratings on the Delhi Capitals squad following the IPL 2021 Auction

The two-time IPL-winning captain opined that the only saving grace for Delhi Capitals is that they acquired the likes of Umesh Yadav, Steve Smith, and Sam Billings at a relatively cheap price.

“The only good thing is they have got all these players at a very cheap price. Had they bought Steve Smith at a very high price, I wouldn’t feel very happy with it. Most of these are steal buys, especially Umesh Yadav, Steve Smith at 2 CR and Sam Billings,” said Gambhir.

When asked to rate the overall squad of the Delhi Capitals, Gautam Gambhir gave the 2020 runner-up 8.5 on a scale of ten. He also alluded to the lack of depth in the wrist-spin department. DC has only one experienced leg-spinner in their rank in the form of Amit Mishra. Yes, they do have Praveen Dubey but he is relatively green when it comes to the IPL.

“Eight and a half. The reason is that I still feel they are a little thin on the wrist spin because Mishra’s fitness is not sure, they have let go of someone like Sandeep Lamichhane. Had they gone for someone like Piyush Chawla and they would have got him, I would have given them nine,” signed off  Gautam Gambhir.

Also Read: IPL 2021 Auction: How Kyle Jamieson’s U-Turn From Sleep Led To A ‘Surreal Experience’