Star Australian batsman Steven Smith predicted the finalists of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 in March. He was the only pundit who had predicted both finalists correctly.
The IPL Final is one step away, as the fans are all excited to witness the new champion. The two flamboyant franchises, Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face each other on the night of the final. The stage is all set at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
At the end of the league stage, GT and CSK finished first and second on the table respectively. As a result, the teams faced each other in Qualifier 1. The men in yellow won the tie to reach the final. The defending champions, on the other hand, beat five-time champions Mumbai Indians in the Qualifier 2 to reach the final.
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Interestingly, ahead of the IPL season in March, Australian batsman Steven Smith predicted the two teams that would play the IPL 2023 Final. He was the only pundit to have predicted both teams correctly.
What is Steve Smith’s IPL Record?
Since making his debut in 2012, Steven Smith has played 103 IPL games until 2022. Starting with the now-defunct Pune Warriors India (PWI), Smith made an everlasting impression on the minds of the IPL franchises as a youngster.
He made a switch to Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2014 IPL. He scored over 450 runs across the next two seasons for the Royals.
Because of the ban imposed on RR in 2015, Smith was drafted by the Rising Pune Super Giant (RPSG) ahead of IPL 2016 on a two-year deal. His best seasons as a batsman came with the franchise. He scored over 600 runs in two seasons, including one century and three half-centuries.
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After a one-season ban following the ball-tampering incident, Smith marked his return to the IPL with RR. He scored consecutive 300+ runs seasons in 2019 and 2020.
In what seemed a tussle with the management, Steve Smith was released into the auction by RR, ahead of the 2021 season. Spending 2021 with the Delhi Capitals, Smith scored 150 runs in 8 matches.
Steve Smith’s IPL Career Summarized
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Fours | Sixes | 50s | 100s | High Score |
| 103 | 2485 | 34.51 | 128.09 | 225 | 60 | 11 | 1 | 101* |
