Steve Smith has been absent from the Indian Premier League (IPL) since the 2021 season. Despite his status as one of international cricket's premier batsmen, he has struggled to secure a consistent IPL spot in recent years.
The 35-year-old went unsold in the 2022 auction and opted not to register for the mini-auction for IPL 2023. Smith, who played in the IPL from 2012 to 2021, has amassed 2,485 runs at an average of 34.5 and a strike rate of 128.1, including one century and 11 fifties.
After a three-year hiatus from the IPL, Smith recently made a significant impact in the T20 format by leading the Washington Freedom (WAF) to a historic title in the MLC 2024 tournament. Under his captaincy, WAF defeated the San Francisco Unicorns by 7 wickets to secure the championship. Smith's leadership and batting prowess in the MLC 2024, where he was the second-highest run-scorer with 336 runs at an average of 56, including three fifties, have reignited interest in him.
As IPL 2025 approaches, several teams in need of a new captain may target Smith in the upcoming auction. Given his recent success as both a captain and batsman, he is expected to attract significant attention. Here are three IPL teams that could be keen on bringing Steve Smith on board as their captain for the upcoming season.
