RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) has revealed why they came up with a single bid for former Australian captain Steve Smith at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction.
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction, Rajasthan Royals (RR) made a bold move by not only removing Steve Smith as the captain of the franchise but also releasing him into the auction pool.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Came Up With The First Bid For Steve Smith But Pulled Out After Getting Counter Bid From Delhi Capitals
Steve Smith entered the auction pool as one of the batsmen to watch out for and he was thought to acquire big bucks. His name was called out early in the auction after Alex Hales and Jason Roy went unsold.
Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) came up with the first bid for the former Australian captain at his base price of Rs 2 crore. He immediately got a counter bid from Delhi Capitals (DC). RCB then took everybody by surprise by pulling out of the bid as Steve Smith eventually went to DC for Rs 2.2 crore.
RCB’s pulling out after making just one bid for Steve Smith became a major discussion debate as it left the fans and experts surprised but the franchise has now shared a video as a part of its mock auctions where RCB Director of Cricket Operations, Mike Hesson made a strategy to make the first bid for Steve Smith.
In the mock auction, Mike Hesson came up with the strategy to start the bidding process for Steve Smith and then pull out as he said no franchise would let RCB have Steve Smith at his base price of Rs 2 crore.
“I am not sure if anybody is going to bid for him in the first round. The best thing we can do is make a bid for Smith early and then move out. So if CSK buys him, they cannot buy Maxwell. They are the only ones at the moment who can outclass us for Maxwell. We need to confirm that we are comfortable making that first bid for Steve Smith. I think if we bid for him straightaway, no team is going to let us get him for 2 crores,” he said.
“So post auction, if Steve Smith goes for more than 4 crores, I am going to have a nice meal with a couple of drinks. If he goes for less than 4, I will pay. If he goes for more than 4 crores, you pay,” Hesson added.
Mike Hesson was spot on with his prediction as Steve Smith was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2.2 crore as none of the other franchises made a bid for him.
Steve Smith May Not Leave Family For Low Price Of INR 2 Crore: Michael Clarke
Chris Morris, the South African pacer who was released by RCB ahead of the auction, emerged as the costliest player in the IPL auction history as he was bought by Rajasthan Royals for a record sum of Rs 16.25 crore. RCB spent a lot of money to buy Glenn Maxwell (14.25 crore) and Kyle Jamieson (15 crores) at the auction.
Sharing his views on the Big Sports Breakfast Podcast, former Australian captain Michael Clarke said he doesn’t see Steve Smith staying away from his family for 11 weeks for just Rs 2.2 crore.
“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,” Clarke said.
Steve Smith was released by RR ahead of the IPL 2021 auction as Sanju Samson replaced him as the captain of the team. Steve Smith registered himself in the INR 2 crore price bracket after being released by Rajasthan Royals. He scored only 311 runs averaging a modest 25.91 in 14 IPL games in IPL 2020 held at UAE.