… Australia’s star trio all let go by their clubs after lean years in the 2020 tournament and will be up for sale at next month’s lucrative auction

STEVE Smith, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell, three of Australia’s most celebrated exports to the Indian Premier League, have all been let go by their IPL franchises.
The trio were among the biggest names to be dropped when the franchises submitted their final list of retained and released players on Wednesday, and will know their destination for the 2021 tournament at the IPL auction next month.
Perhaps the most surprising name to be ditched was that of Smith as the former Australian captain has enjoyed a long, fruitful relationship with Rajasthan Royals and led them in last year’s tournament in the Middle East.
Smith, though, suffered a largely lean time with the bat in 2020, scoring 311 runs including three half-centuries, and his captaincy came under the spotlight as they finished last in the eight-team table.

Instead, the Royals have replaced him as skipper, promoting Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson to the role.
Reports in India suggested it had been a tough and intense decision for the team’s lead owner Manoj Badale to take, as Smith has long been a favourite there but it was felt that Royals needed a new home-based figurehead.
“I would especially like to thank Steve Smith for everything that he has done as a leader and captain of the Royals. His contribution on the field and his contribution off the field … has been immense,” said Badale in a statement.
However, there was clearly no room for sentiment as the Royals have retained their powerful English World Cup winners Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore have decided to offload Australia’s T20 captain Finch, along with two other big overseas signings, South Africa’s Chris Morris and England’s Moeen Ali.

Three other Australians in Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa have all been retained by RCB.
Finch, who has been mired in a horror run of luck in this season’s KFC BBL, will now be looking for a ninth IPL team after a poor last season by his standards, with just one half-century in 12 innings.
The magician Maxwell was another who suffered a poor last IPL season, scoring only 108 runs and taking three wickets in 13 games, and he’s paid the price by being dropped by Kings XI Punjab.
However, it is hard to imagine Maxwell won’t have plenty of suitors at the auction, especially after rediscovering his mojo in the BBL.
Billy Stanlake has been released by Sunrisers Hyderabad although David Warner, naturally, retains his place as captain and key contributor, alongside fellow overseas luminaries Rashid Khan and Kane Williamson.

Mumbai Indians won the title but it has not stopped them releasing their overseas fast-bowling contingent, including the Australian duo of Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson, but they did retain Chris Lynn.
Delhi Capitals have released Aussie wicketkeeper Alex Carey while Royal Challengers Bangalore announced that Delhi’s Daniel Sams would be joining their squad after a successful trade from the Delhi Capitals.
Australia Test vice-captain Pat Cummins has been retained as a key man for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Australians in IPL 2021
Chennai Super Kings Released: Shane Watson (retired). Retained: Josh Hazlewood
Delhi Capitals Released: Alex Carey. Retained: Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Sams (traded to RCB)
Kings XI Punjab Released: Glenn Maxwell.
Kolkata Knight Riders Released: Chris Green. Retained: Pat Cummins
Mumbai Indians Released: Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson. Retained: Chris Lynn.
Rajasthan Royals Released: Steve Smith. Retained: Andrew Tye
Royal Challengers Bangalore Released: Aaron Finch. Retained: Adam Zampa, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson.
Sunrisers Hyderabad Released: Billy Stanlake. Retained: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh. (Cricket Network)