The anticipation for the IPL 2026 Mini-Auction is reaching a fever pitch as the ten franchises finalize their strategies to fill the remaining slots. A total of 350 players have been shortlisted to go under the hammer, all competing for just 77 available spots across the teams. Among these 77 places, 31 are reserved for overseas players, setting the stage for a fierce bidding war, particularly for top international talent. Registering in the highest bracket of a ₹2 crore base price is former Australian captain Steve Smith, who last featured in the league in 2021. Ahead of the auction, legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn weighed in on Smith’s auction fate, suggesting the veteran batsman may not attract the aggressive bidding many expect.
Dale Steyn’s straightforward take on Steve Smith’s IPL 2026 Mini Auction prospects
Dale Steyn, speaking on a Star Sports video segment ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, provided a blunt assessment of Smith’s prospects, arguing that modern team management prioritizes current T20 form over reputation and experience. Steyn was presented with the statement: “Dale, I’ll give some statements. Say true if you agree. Say false if you don’t. Someone is going to bid way too aggressively for Steve Smith just for the experience factor.” The South African great immediately and firmly disagreed with this premise, providing a measured explanation that underscores the evolving, data-driven nature of IPL bidding.
Steyn’s full response was: “False. I think teams are smart enough now to understand how much money they have and who they want to bid for and if Steven Smith does go to a team, I think he will go, unfortunately for him, fairly cheaply.” This prediction highlights the perceived gap between Smith’s undisputed Test pedigree and his recent T20 currency, suggesting that franchises will not overspend on a player whose role in the explosive T20 format is often debated. Steyn’s viewpoint suggests that teams are focused on maximizing their purse on younger, power-hitting specialists, making Smith’s ₹2 crore base price look like a risk rather than a bargain.
Also READ: Explained: Why Cameron Green’s IPL 2026 bidding war won’t cross INR 18 crore in the auction?
Steve Smith’s rollercoaster IPL journey
Smith’s IPL career has been a fascinating mix of leadership, occasional brilliance, and periods of underperformance, ultimately leading to him going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, a stark reminder of his diminishing T20 stock. The Australian began his IPL journey as a leg-spinner before transforming into one of cricket’s premier batsmen, and his involvement has been marked by stints with multiple franchises, including Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals (which he captained), Rising Pune Supergiant and Delhi Capitals.
His statistical record is solid but not spectacular for the T20 format, having played over 100 matches and scored close to 2,500 runs with a lone century. However, his strike rate often sits below the explosive benchmark now required of top overseas batsmen, especially in the middle order.
Following his release by Delhi after the 2021 season, Smith went unsold in 2025, forcing him to take up a commentary role and play in the BBL, where he proved his talent by equaling the record for most Big Bash League (BBL) centuries. Despite his status as one of the world’s best batters, this recent unsold record and a base price of ₹2 crore for the 2026 auction place him in a precarious position, lending credence to Steyn’s prediction of a potentially low sale price for the experienced campaigner.
