Smith’s reality check in $2.1m pay cut

He’s regarded as one the greatest batsmen in the modern era, but Steve Smith may not even get a game in this year’s Indian Premier League.

Smith copped a $2.1 million pay cut at Thursday’s IPL auction, with the Delhi Capitals securing the batsman for just AU$389,000.

Although the six-figure sum would be cause for celebration for most cricketers, it was considerably lower than the AU$2.5 million he received from the Rajasthan Royals last year.

In comparison, rival clubs were willing to spend more on veteran all-rounders Daniel Christian ($850,000) and Moises Henriques ($744,000).

Smith’s mammoth salary reduction surprised many cricket fans, but the 31-year-old has enjoyed less success in the game’s shortest format.

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His T20 batting average of 30.60 is commendable, but substantially lower than the likes of India’s Virat Kohli and Babar Azam of Pakistan.

The former Australian captain was also below his best in last year’s IPL, passing 50 just three times in 14 matches. He was released from the Royals after an underwhelming campaign where they finished bottom of the ladder.

STEVE SMITH BATTING AVERAGE IN THE IPL

2020 — 25.91 (14 matches)

2019 — 39.87 (12 matches)

2017 — 39.33 (15 matches)

2016 — 45.00 (eight matches)

Rajasthan Royals batsman Steve Smith.Source:AFP

Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle explained why the Royals were not willing to give Smith another chance in 2021.

“They want a top-order player that will dominate and win matches from the top order, like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Ben Stokes, even Quinton de Kock,” Bhogle told ABC Grandstand.

“Rajasthan have quickly done the numbers and thought, ‘Would we rather pay that money for (South African all-rounder) Chris Morris?’”

To make matters worse, there may not even be a vacant position for Smith in the Capitals starting XI this year.

Delhi’s squad boasts some of the most formidable T20 batsmen in the world — Indian superstars Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant are joined by the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis.

The Capitals also heavily rely on international bowlers, with English seamer Chris Woakes and South African pacemen Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje featured in their squad.

Because IPL teams are only permitted four overseas players in their starting XI, Smith may be forced to occasionally carry the drinks in the IPL this year.

“Steve Smith doesn’t fit into the Delhi Capitals playing XI,” former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports. “They are probably too top-heavy, where are they going to push him?

“They will definitely play Shimron Hetmyer in the middle order and Marcus Stoinis. Anrich Nortje and Rabada did really well for them. Now they have got Chris Woakes as well. So, I don’t see him actually in the playing XI.

“The only good thing is they have got all these players at a very cheap price. Had they bought Steve Smith at a very high price, I wouldn’t feel very happy with it.”

Steve Smith may not get a game in the IPL this year.Source:AFP

Australia’s cricketers spent most of the 2020/21 summer in biosecurity bubbles away from friends and family — Smith did not see his wife for over 150 days as he plied his trade in three continents between August and December.

Former Test captain Michael Clarke warned Smith might not be willing to undergo another quarantine ahead of this year’s IPL for only $389,000.

“But when you look at what he was getting (last season) and his role as captain of Rajasthan, don’t be surprised if there’s a little hamstring strain the day the plane is meant to fly to India,” Clarke said on Sky Sports’ Big Sports Breakfast.

“For him to go away for an eight-week tournament and quarantine before the tournament starts — call it 11 weeks. I don’t think he is going to give up 11 weeks away from his family and his partner for $380,000.

“I’m really interested to see if he gets a tight hamstring and doesn’t go. Or if it goes the other and he says I do want to go and play in this T20 World Cup and I do want to get picked up for more money in the next IPL. I am going to go there, I don’t care for the money and will prove people wrong.”

Smith scored a blistering 127 against Victoria at North Sydney Oval in his long-waited return to state cricket on Monday.

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