IPL 2019: Top 3 knocks by Steve Smith in the history of IPL

New South Wales-born Steve Smith has an excellent record in the IPL. Pune Warriors India, Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants are the franchises he has represented in his IPL career.

Overall, in the 69 matches that the 29-year-old has played, Smith has amassed a total of 1703 runs at a strike rate of 131.71 and a brilliant average of 37.02.

The Aussie player is currently with the Rajasthan Royals, and has been retained ahead of the 2019 season for a sum reported to be ₹12 crore.

He will be returning to the IPL after a gap of one year due to the ban slapped by Cricket Australia in the wake of the ball-tampering incident. But despite being out of action for so long, Smith is still the 4th best Test batsman in the world according to the ICC Rankings.

The enigmatic player will be looking to put his past behind him and return to the IPL with a bang. Smith may also return to the national team midway through the ODI series against Pakistan - which is scheduled from 22nd to 31 March.

If that is the case, he might have to miss out on a few of the initial matches of IPL 2019.

Rajasthan Royals had made it to the playoffs in 2018 despite not having a player like Smith in their ranks. The team will be optimistic about his impending return to the side as it further bolsters their line up.

The stylish batsman is currently nursing an elbow injury. However, he attended Sydney Sixers' final training session ahead of the BBL semi-final against Melbourne Renegades, so there is hope that he might be able to play in the IPL.

With just 6 weeks left for him to serve his ban, let us take a look at the top 3 memorable knocks that Smith has played in his entire IPL career.

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3. 79* (53) for Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2015

Steve Smith (left) celebrates with Shane Watson of Rajasthan Royals

The 2015 IPL season was not the most memorable for Smith as he amassed just 293 runs in 14 matches at an average of 26.63. However, there is one knock in particular from 2015 that his fans cherish a lot.

The Royals had got off to a solid start that season, winning their first two games against Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils. Smith, however, was yet to make a significant impact in any game.

The 3rd match they played was against the Mumbai Indians. It was important for the Rajasthan-based franchise to keep the momentum going, but Mumbai Indians had set up a competitive total of 164 in 20 overs after choosing to bat first.

Sanju Samson departed early and in came Smith, aiming to steady the ship. He played well for his 79 and remained unbeaten through the innings to ensure a win for his team, as RR chased down the total in 19.1 overs.

Smith made his runs in just 53 deliveries and timed the innings to perfection. He hit 8 fours and a six in the knock and had a commendable strike rate of 149.05.

The 29-year-old took calculated risks when he had to; he smashed 3 fours to get 15 runs from the 17th over, bowled by Lasith Malinga, which really eased the pressure on the team.

Smith was awarded the Man of the Match for his sublime performance with the bat.

2. 84* (54) for Rising Pune Supergiant vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2017

Steve Smith had a good understanding with Ajinkya Rahane

It was the first match of the season for Rising Pune Supergiant. Mumbai Indians had posted a handsome total of 184 for 8 after they were put in to bat first.

The pressure was all on Smith and his troops. Mayank Agarwal had departed, after which Smith came in to bat. However, opener Ajinkya Rahane was at the crease and was playing briskly.

It was an intelligent innings from the Aussie player as he did not take many risks while Rahane was firing at the other end. He tried to give the Maharashtra-born player the majority of the crease. However, once Rahane departed, the 29-year-old took the responsibility upon himself.

He started scoring his runs at a blistering pace, and hit 7 fours and 3 sixes on his way to 84 runs. Again, Smith batted throughout the innings and won the match for his team in nerve-racking fashion.

13 runs were needed in the last over. Kieron Pollard was the bowler and MS Dhoni was on strike. RPS could only manage 3 singles in the first 3 balls, and they needed 10 runs off the last 3 deliveries.

Smith kept his cool and clobbered back-to-back sixes to win it for RPS. It was a brilliant knock indeed, which again won him the Man of the Match award.

Smith also finished as the highest run-getter for RPS in the 2017 season, amassing a total of 472 runs in 15 matches at an average of 39.33.

1. 101 (54) for Rising Pune Supergiant vs Gujarat Lions, IPL 2016

Steve Smith will make a return in IPL 2019 for Rajasthan Royals

Rising Pune Supergiant locked horns with Gujarat Lions in what was the 25th match of IPL 2016.

Being put in to bat first, RPS posted a massive total of 195 for 3 in 20 overs. A majority of the credit for this went to the brilliant century scored by Steve Smith.

Saurabh Tiwary was sent back to the pavilion after making just one run, and Smith walked out at number 3. He smashed the ball to all parts of the ground right from the start, hitting 8 fours and 5 sixes en route to the century.

It was an absolute masterclass from the 29-year-old to get to the 100. He was eventually bowled out by Dwayne Bravo for 101.

However, the unfortunate part for Smith was that it came in a losing cause. Gujarat Lions chased down the total in exactly 20 overs, the match ending in heart-breaking fashion for RPS. Dwayne Smith's 63 and cameos from Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik ensured that the Lions got to the finish line.

The match was full of drama though. Thisara Perera bowled the last over, with 9 runs required off it. The Lions somehow scampered through despite losing the two wickets of Raina and Ishan Kishan, getting the job done on the very last ball.

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