RR vs KXIP: Steve Smith still a class act
Steve Smith returned to the IPL for Rajasthan Royals on Monday; he may have scored only 20 off 16 balls but the four and a six off Sam Curran had sparks of class.
Published : Mar 25, 2019 23:49 IST
One year ago, Australia batsman Steve Smith was in the news for the ball-tampering fiasco in Cape Town. He had to serve a one-year sanction imposed by Cricket Australia along with compatriots David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
On Monday, his return to cricket was celebrated in India. The former Australian captain, who had a short stint in the Bangladesh Premier League, before an elbow injury cut short is sojourn, took the field in Rajasthan Royals' first Indian Premier League game against Kings XI Punjab at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Smith, playing for Rajasthan Royals after three years, was a live wire as his franchise was fielding first. He was seen chatting up to the bowlers and fielders.
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With the bat, he scored 20 off 16 balls before falling to a spectacular catch by K.L. Rahul off Sam Curran in the 17th over.
But the four and a six off Curran in the 15th over proved he is still a class act. He moved across to hammer Curran’s length ball over mid-wicket to bring up his first boundary. A ball later, he smashed Curran into the second tier.
Rahul had to run almost 50 metres from long-off to dismiss Smith. He clearly isn't easy to dismiss.
On Sunday, Warner made a comeback to the IPL with a swashbuckling 85 off just 53 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders for Sunrisers Hyderabad, but his team lost the rubber.