Explained: Why Steve Smith Is Struggling To Score Runs In IND Vs AUS Test Series

Anurag Dasgupta

Smith struggling for runs [Source: AP Photos] Smith struggling for runs [Source: AP Photos]

Steve Smith is arguably the greatest Test batter of this generation and has carved a name for himself in the game's longest format. Once compared to Shane Warne for his leg-spin bowling, Smith had a remarkable turnaround as he suddenly became a world beater with the bat and in the last decade has terrorised the opposition bowlers.

However, for the last one-year, Smith isn't the same batter anymore and is struggling to score runs freely, something which he used to relish before. The Australian media are running after Marnus Labuschagne's form, but the bigger problem is Steve Smith, who looks a pale shadow of himself in the ongoing series.

He has so far accumulated 0, 17, and 2 in the three innings he has played and has struggled against Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, as the seamer has found ways to dismiss the star Aussie batter. Smith averages just 25.55 in Tests this year and even coming back at his usual number 4 position hasn't helped his cause as he continues to struggle.

Why Smith is struggling? Decoded here

The Aussie batter has an unusual technique for Test cricket, but it is the hand-eye coordination which made him the best in the business. However, that hand-eye coordination has faded and the reflexes have slowed down. His head is falling over and is not stable, something which wasn't the issue earlier.

Take for example his dismissal against Bumrah in the first innings of the Perth Test. Bumrah bowled a length ball on the off and it jagged back in sharply to cop a blow on the pad. He was slow to move across and by the time he brought his hands down to play the ball, it was too late as the delivery had struck his front pad. Opponents now try and bring the ball back in to get LBW in equation as by the time Smith shuffles, the ball is already hitting him.

The confidence in his hands is missing, something which made him a world beater in Test cricket.

With age, reflexes slow down

Steve Smith relies more on hand-eye coordination and unorthodox batting style to grind out runs and it has made him successful in the past. However, Smudge is now 35 and is not getting any younger. With age, your reflexes slow down and it takes you that extra second to judge the line of the ball.

Something similar happened with India's Virender Sehwag. He used to belt the bowlers in his prime days and was a similar kind of a batter, relying more on reflexes rather than technique. However, as age caught him up, the same reflexes went down massively and his form dipped across formats.

Smith will still score a century here and there and will play those outstanding knocks, but since he doesn't rely on technique, it would be difficult for 'Smudge' Smith to make a comeback.