With less than a week left for the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), all the 10 franchises have started gearing up for the new season.
The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will begin on March 31 with the clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, ahead of the much-anticipated tournament, legendary Australian batsman Steve Smith has taken to social media to leave fans in awe of his return to the IPL.
Steve Smith shared a video on Twitter on March 27 to announce that he is taking part in the upcoming IPL 2023, although he did not reveal in what role he would be returning. But the Aussie star said that he will be joining a great and passionate team ahead of IPL 2023.
In a video message posted on his Twitter account, Smith said: ‘Namaste India. I have got exciting news for you. I am joining IPL 2023. I am joining an extraordinary and passionate team in India.”
Let us tell you, the 33-year-old cricketer last played in the IPL for Delhi Capitals in 2021, where he scored 152 runs in eight matches. Smith could not find a buyer in the 2022 auction and then withdrew from the mini-auction for IPL 2023.
In total, Steve Smith has scored 2485 runs in 103 IPL matches at a strike rate of 128.09, including 11 half-centuries and one century. Smith has so far represented six franchises in the IPL, Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), the now defunct Rising Pune Supergiants, Pune Warriors India, Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).