Australian batsman Steve Smith became the first player to be sold during the 2021 IPL mini-auction as the unorthodox hitter got himself a Rs. 2.2 crore deal ahead of the 14th edition of the tournament with Delhi Capitals.

Last year’s runners up, the Delhi side is already loaded with some of the top-scoring batsmen in the league at the moment including the in-form Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, and a very capable strong man in Marnus Stoinis leading their batting attack.

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Then why would they need someone like Smith to further strengthen their lineup, or maybe it was the impact of the DC head coach, Ricky Ponting, who really wanted his man in the squad?

Fans of the Capitals were scratching their heads and were confused what had just happened on Twitter:

#DelhiCapitals don't know what to say about #SteveSmith. #ponting may have some plans for Steve in delhi.
We need an India pacer in @DelhiCapitals#IPLAuction2021

— Simranjeet singh (@simranjeetsaini) February 18, 2021

After looking at Steve Smith going to DC #IPLAuction2021

Me to Ricky Ponting:- pic.twitter.com/MLxcv5lHfx

— SARCASTER 🇮🇳 (@sarcaster_) February 18, 2021

Good buy. But jinks and smith r same for the team. Who will play is a question. Seems like Ponting's choice

— Neha (@IMMJ2____) February 18, 2021

While Smith can definitely be a strong asset for any team he joins, the current need for Delhi Capitals is that of some good pacers in the game to take away some stress off of Kagiso Rabada and Stoinis’ shoulders.

Here is the list of franchise purses for all eight teams of the Indian Premier League ahead of the mini-auction for the 14th edition of the tournament in 2020-21.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK): 19.9 CroresDelhi Capitals (DC): 13.4 CroresKolkata Knight Riders (KKR): 10.75 CroresKings XI Punjab (KXIP): 53.2 CroresRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): 35.4 CroresSunRisers Hyderabad (SRH): 10.75 CroresMumbai Indians (MI): 15.35 CroresRajasthan Royals (RR): 37.85 Crores

The IPL 2021 auction had a total of 292 players qualify to go under the hammer out of a total of 1,114 players from all over the world applying with the hopes of entering the most lucrative and extravagant T20 league in the world. 

Out of the 292 cricketers, only 61 will be entering or reentering the 2021 season as those were the number of slots available ahead of the mini-auction.

Here is the top-20 list of Indian players who’d qualified for the auction and the base price they had set for themselves.

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