IPL 2019: Steven Smith Will be Hungry to Perform for Rajasthan Royals – Shane Warne
Mar 16, 2019 at 12:51 PM
Rajasthan Royals brand ambassador Shane Warne believes former Australian skipper Steven Smith will be hungry to perform for the franchise. Smith will be coming after a year lay-off and he would be hungry for runs like a hungry lion who hasn’t eaten for days. Thus, he would like to be at the top of his game. Smith will know the importance of the IPL as it is going to get him the World Cup ticket.
Consequently, the talisman batsman will like to impress in his audition. Smith hasn’t played competitive cricket in the last one year and he would like to hit the ground running in the IPL. The talisman batsman is a quality player who will like to bring his best to the table. Smith is a big player and he would like to get runs under his belt before the ODI showpiece kicks off in England and Wales.
Smith will like to hit the ground running.
Shane Warne said while talking to IANS, “This year, Royals will have him back and hungry and wanting to show the world how good he is. He is fresh and has missed the game that he loves. I think he will be terrific for the Royals this year and I am looking for some big things”.
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals have also roped in Ashton Turner. The right-hander was able to turn the match on its head when he blasted 43-ball 84 in the fourth Mohali ODI against India. In fact, Turner has also impressed while playing for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.
“Just watching him play, a good friend of mine Mascheranas and me were speaking about the Big Bash and he asked me to take a good look at Turner. So, I studied him a bit and then rang the Royals owners and said that they should get Turner as the kid was good. So they went ahead and bought him and now the 50 grand spent on him looks pretty good.
“Turner has a very level head on his shoulders for a young player. He is a future leader and has done a great job at Perth Scorchers. He plays spin just as good as he playspace,” he signed off.
Meanwhile, Shane Warne also spoke on the comparisons between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Warne said he will comment on the comparison between the two players when Kohli’s career would be over.
“Sachin in the mid-90s and also Brian Lara in the mid-90s were a class above everyone else. Not so much in the latter half of their careers, but in that phase of four to five years from 1994-95 they were just a class above.
“Virat and Sachin are two completely different players altogether, but they are greats. None (I would wish to bowl too) actually (Warne laughs). To me both are terrific players, I couldn’t choose one,” he said.
Meanwhile, Steven Smith will like to do a good job for the Rajasthan Royals. Royals will begin their IPL campaign against Kings XI Punjab at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur on 25th March.