Steve Smith Eyes IPL Return After MLC Title Triumph
Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batter, has expressed his desire to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year after leading Washington Freedom to their first Major League Cricket (MLC) title. At 35, Smith has not played in the IPL since 2021, having gone unsold in the last two auctions.
Despite being overlooked for the T20 World Cup and the upcoming tours of Scotland and England, Smith remains optimistic about his chances of making a comeback in the IPL. “I’d certainly love another opportunity at IPL. I’ll be throwing my name in the ring, and we’ll see how we go,” Smith said.
Smith’s standout performance in the MLC came in the final against the San Francisco Unicorns, where he scored an 88 off 52 balls against bowlers like Australian captain Pat Cummins and Pakistan’s Haris Rauf. His effort earned him the player-of-the-match award in the final.
Smith’s return to form in the MLC has raised questions about his omission from the Australian T20I team. However, Smith understands the team’s decision to focus on younger players. “In terms of international T20s, I don’t know what’s going on there,” Smith said. “They’ve obviously got some people they want to bring in, and that’s fine.”
Despite the setbacks, Smith remains focused on improving his game. “I’ll just go about my business, keep trying to improve and get better,” he said.
Smith also expressed interest in representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will make its debut. “That’s still a while away as well, so we’ll wait and see. Never say never,” Smith said.
