IPL 2021: Not sure how we got Steve Smith so cheap, says Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting

Indian Premier League 2021: Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting said Steve Smith will bat in the top 3 if he gets an opportunity to be in the playing XI in the new season. Smith was bought for Rs 2.2 crore after having been released by Rajasthan Royals last year.

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting is confident that Steve Smith will be hungrier than ever in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, saying that the Australia star will be determined to prove a point after having been released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the new season. Ricky Ponting said he had a chat with Steve Smith before leaving for India and that the former Rajasthan Royals captain is geared up to do well for the new franchise. Ponting pointed out that a good show for Smith in IPL 2021 will only boost his value ahead of the mega auction, which is scheduled in the lead up to IPL 2022, which is expected to have 2 more teams. Steve Smith was sold for Rs 2.2 crore at the IPL 2021 auction in February, just Rs 20 lakh more than his base price. While the Australia star was expected to trigger a bidding war, he got only 2 bids, one from Royal Challengers Bangalore and the other from the Capitals. The Capitals' bid of Rs 2.2 crore turned out to be the winning bid.