'Unsold' Steve Smith In For Maiden Commentary Stint Via IPL 2024

Steve Smith to do commentary during IPL 2024 [X.com]Steve Smith to do commentary during IPL 2024 [X.com]

Steve Smith is in for his maiden stint in broadcasting and commentary at the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After going unsold at the mini-auction held in Dubai late last year, the Australian batting great is about to hold the mic and narrate the play during the IPL 2024, starting March 22. 

Having found no takers at the bidding war, the former Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) player will be donning a new hat in the commentary box as he joins BCCI's broadcasting and commentary team for the marquee T20 carnival. 

Smith will be doing English commentary on Star Sports and Sports18 and providing his insight into IPL's razzmatazz and riveting on-field play alongside some of the leading commentators in the world, a role he would be really excited for. 

Notably, Smith is the only active international player part of the English commentary team for the IPL 2024. He is joining an elite panel of commentators, featuring also Harsha Bhogle, Nick Knight, Sunil Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden, Ian Bishop, Jacques Kallis, Kevin Pietersen, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, Tom Moody, and Simon Doull among others. 

Smith would've ideally wanted to be part of the playing action, having not played an IPL game since the league's 2021 edition, held in UAE. Released by the Delhi franchise since then, the prolific international batter has found no takers for his T20 prowess, with question marks raised on his game in the shortest format. 

Even though he returned to Big Bash League (BBL) with a bang and scored a pair of centuries for Sydney Sixers, the 34-year-old couldn't revive his fate in the IPL. 

Smith's substandard showings in the league before wouldn't have helped his reputation. He has played 103 IPL games and made 2,485 runs at a strike-rate of just 128.09.