Gautam Gambhir Slams Delhi Capitals For Picking Steve Smith: The IPL 2021 auctions turned out to be an intriguing affair. While some franchises made an exorbitant amount of money, shattering all the previous records, on the other hand, others went for unbelievable bargain prices. While the likes of Chris Morris, Kyle Jamieson, and Glenn Maxwell were among the most expensive buys, however, the steal of the entire auction was Steve Smith, who went for only INR 2 crores.
The former Australia skipper was bought by Delhi Capitals for IPL 2021 after he was released by Rajasthan Royals after the completion of the previous edition. Smith came into the auction at the highest base price of Rs. 2 crores and was bought by Delhi Capitals for 2.20 crore.
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes that Steve Smith doesn’t fit into the Delhi Capitals playing XI. While reviewing the Delhi Capitals squad during a discussion on Star Sports, Gambhir reasoned that Delhi Capitals already has a lot of top-order batsmen. He said:
“Steve Smith doesn’t fit into the Delhi Capitals playing XI. They are probably too top heavy, where are they going to push him. They have got Shikhar Dhawan, who was in very good form, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant,”
The former Indian cricketer also highlighted that the franchise’s four overseas spots in the playing XI are almost confirmed. He said:
“They will definitely play Shimron Hetmyer in the middle order and Marcus Stoinis. Anrich Nortje and Rabada did really really well for them. Now they have got Chris Woakes as well. So, I don’t see him actually in the playing XI,”
Furthermore, Gambhir said that the only saving grace for the Delhi-based franchise is that they have bought Steve Smith, along with Umesh Yadav and Sam Billings, at a very low price. HE said:
“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. Most of these are steal buys, especially Umesh Yadav, Steve Smith at 2 CR and Sam Billings,”
He also rated the Delhi Capitals‘ squad on a scale of ten and also highlighted the lack of depth in the wrist-spin department as an area of concern for them. He said:
“Eight and a half. The reason is that I still feel they are a little thin on the wrist spin because Mishra’s fitness is not sure, they have let go of someone like Sandeep Lamichhane. Had they gone for someone like Piyush Chawla and they would have got him, I would have given them nine,”
