New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert delivered a timely reminder of his T20 pedigree ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, smashing a superb century for the Melbourne Renegades against Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League on Sunday (December 15). Seifert’s commanding knock powered the Renegades to a 14-run win at Simonds Stadium in Geelong and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Seifert struck a fluent 102 off 56 balls, anchoring the Renegades’ innings as they piled up an imposing 212 for five. His knock, laced with nine fours and six sixes, came at a strike rate of 182.14 and showcased his ability to accelerate through the middle and death overs — a trait highly valued in franchise cricket. The right-hander was dismissed on the final ball of the 19th over, having already done the bulk of the damage.
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In the process, Seifert became only the second Renegades batter to score a Big Bash hundred, joining former Australia captain Aaron Finch. Finch had achieved the milestone twice, in 2020 and 2025, and remains the only other Renegades player with a BBL century to his name. Seifert’s innings also overshadowed a brisk 57 from Oliver Peake and a quick cameo from Jake Fraser-McGurk as the Renegades maintained a run rate above 10 throughout the innings.
SEIFERT SET FOR IPL AUCTION
The knock could not have come at a better time for Seifert, who is registered for the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of Rs 1.50 crore. The auction is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 16, in Abu Dhabi. While Seifert has previously featured in the IPL, opportunities have been limited. He made his IPL debut with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021, playing just one match, before turning out for Delhi Capitals in two games in 2022. He has not been picked by any franchise since.
Across 293 T20 matches, Seifert has amassed 6,698 runs at an average of 28.62 and a strike rate of 134.63, including four centuries and 32 fifties. With this BBL century, the 30-year-old has sent a strong message to IPL franchises, underlining his match-winning potential and readiness for another shot at the world’s biggest T20 league.
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