Indian Premier League 2024

'Likh le deta hu charo team nai aayenge' - Fans react as Steve Smith picks his top four teams ahead of Indian T20 League 2023

Steve Smith has picked his top four Indian T20 League teams ahead of the 16th edition of the cash-rich league.

author-image
Akshay
New Update
Steve Smith

Steve Smith (Image credit: Twitter)

Steve Smith Steve Smith (Image credit: Twitter)

The 16th edition of Indian T20 League is set to kick off on Saturday, March 31, when Gujarat taking on Chennai at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Franchises and players are gearing up to start their 2023 season campaign in style, aiming to lift the coveted trophy. With the much-awaited tournament just hours away, Aussie superstar Seven Smith has picked his four favorite teams.

Former Rajasthan captain Smith's top pick for the 16th edition of the ITL was four-time champions Chennai led by India legend MS Dhoni. The champions did not have a great season last year, finishing second last in the points table. However, they are one of the top contenders this time as they have quality players including world-class all-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali.

The 33-year-old's second team was defending champions Gujarat. They don't have many power strikers in their squad, but when the situation demands, someone will step up and take their team over the line. They bought former Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson at the auction to strengthen the middle order. With captain Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Matthew Wade and top-class spinner Rashid Khan, Gujarat looks strong this time as well.

Smith picked Lucknow and former champions Hyderabad as his third and fourth choice. Match winners like Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis and Deepak Hooda can help Lucknow-led by KL Rahul lift their maiden ITL trophy. Hyderabad, meanwhile, will be led by their new skipper Aiden Markram, who is in fine form and recently led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the title in the inaugural SA20.

Smith to be part of ITL 2023 in a brand new role

Steve Smith, who went unsold in ITL 2022 auction and didn't give his name in the 2023 auction of the cash-rich league, has announced that he will be part of the new ITL season, but in a different role. The right-handed batter took to his Twitter account to share a video where he said he is joining an "exceptional and passionate" team in India. Although he did not mention the role, reports have stated that Smith will be doing commentary in the two-month long tournament.

In a conversation with Star Sports, he talked about his new role: “I think I read the game pretty well so hopefully there will be some good insights for all the people watching ITL out there. I’m certainly excited about joining the Star Sports Team and I’m looking forward to this new experience."

Let's see how fans reacted to Smith's top four teams in the 2023 ITL: 

 

Indian Premier League Steve Smith