Odean Smith, the all-rounder for Punjab Kings, developed a large fan base overnight thanks to his pyrotechnics against RCB. His undefeated 25-run cameo, which came off only eight deliveries, sent the spectators on a frenzy. Smith’s batsmanship helped his team to a five-wicket victory in their first game.
Odean Smith, a 25-year-old West Indies cricketer, made his IPL 2022 debut on the second night. All who witnessed his performance agreed that he possesses all of the characteristics necessary to follow in the footsteps of his teammates and become a T20 sensation.
Smith’s Performance
In the 14th over, Mohammad Siraj bowled Bhanuka Rajapaksa (43) and Raj Bawa (0) off successive balls. Punjab Kings got reduced to 139 for 4 in a 206-run chase at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Liam Livingstone holed out to Anuj Rawat at sweeper cover off Akash Deep after an over. As a result, the Kings were left needing 50 from 31 balls with five wickets in hand.
Kings in the past may have crumbled under pressure. A new-look side led by Odean Smith, on the other hand, mowed down the target with an entire over to spare. M Shahrukh Khan, the other finisher, battled to time the ball as he arrived at No. 7. As a result, it was up to Smith to tee off right away.
He sliced his third ball to sweeper cover after getting off to a fast start with his second ball. This time, Rawat snagged the catch to keep Smith on 1 in the 17th over, bowled by Harshal Patel. Smith unleashed a no-holds-barred assault on Siraj in the next over, going 6,4,6,6 in a 25-run over.
Before The Spotlight
Odean Smith was an unknown quantity in the IPL before Sunday. But he had already created a name for himself in the CPL and the T10 league. Smith cracked Chris Gayle‘s bat in CPL 2021, providing Guyana Amazon Warriors with lower-order batting muscle. He fired a 130-meter six for Deccan Gladiators in the T10 league, causing scouts to take notice of his all-round abilities. Smith was also part of the most viral moment of the West Indies’ home season. He struck Josh Little for six over cover. The ball landed on the roof of his teammate Sheldon Cottrell’s bright-blue Range Rover.
“We were focused on getting off to a solid start,” Odean Smith remarked during the post-match presentation. “It was all about believing that if we get off to a good start, we have the capacity to finish strong. It was a pretty good pitch, but the bowling didn’t go as planned. In that regard, I have some things to work on, but batting was excellent since I helped my team get home.”
