The 36-year-old South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is a favourite bowler for most of the cricket fans. Recently, the veteran pacer was asked on the Twitter whether he will like to serve in the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Mumbai Indians (MI). Soon, Steyn replied that fan.
On last Friday (15th November), all the IPL teams announced their final retained and released squads ahead of the 2020 IPL players’ auction. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) released 12 players from their previous season’s squad and the Proteas pacer Dale Steyn was one of them. So, Steyn is now free and he is likely to be available for the upcoming players’ auction. But now the big question is which team will buy the veteran South African pacer.
In IPL career, Dale Steyn has already served in four different teams. He played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (2008-2010 and 2019), now-defunct Deccan Chargers (2011-2012), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013-2015) and now-defunct Gujarat Lions (2016).
The right-arm fast bowler Dale Steyn has taken 96 wickets in 92 IPL matches (average 24.73). His best bowling figures in IPL career were 3/8 which he achieved back in 2012 edition.
Apart from 2017 and 2018, Steyn played at least one game in every past IPL season. However, since 2014, Steyn has played even less than 10 matches in every IPL season. While he played only one game in 2016, he played two games in last season before getting ruled out due to an injury.
As currently fit Dale Steyn is focusing to play the foreign T20 leagues, which is one of his preparation strategies for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020, he is likely to be available in the forthcoming players’ auction. Kolkata will host the 2020 IPL players’ auction on 19th December 2019.
If Mumbai Indians want me, I’ll happily come and deliver – Dale Steyn
In the recent Q & A session on Twitter, a fan recently asked for his honest answer of where he wants to play in IPL 2020. In reply, Dale Steyn wrote, “Whoever can afford me ?”
Meanwhile, another fan asked him, “Do you like to play for @mipaltan”.
Soon, Steyn wrote, “If they want me, I’ll happily come and deliver”.
Mumbai Indians is the most successful team in IPL history. They have won the record four IPL trophies and they will play in the IPL 2020 as the defending champions.