Steve Smith Relishes Opportunity To Lead Australia In Third Test


image-lenw2h4cSteve Smith will look to lead Australia to win in Indore Test (Twitter)

Australian skipper Pat Cummins was compelled to withdraw from the third Test against India in order to attend his ailing mother back home, resulting in his deputy Steve Smith being appointed as the captain for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match in Indore.

The right-hander believes that his enhanced responsibility will assist him in regaining his form in the format. The cricketer recollected his dismissal in the second Test in New Delhi last week, which left him angry.

In a press conference held before the start of the Indore match, Smith reflected on his previous Test performances and expressed his disappointment with his recent dismissal in the second Test match against India in New Delhi. The unorthodox batter stated that he has played 94 Test matches and has rarely felt unsure about his performance, but his recent dismissal left him feeling angry and bewildered.

Despite his disappointment, the Australian talisman recognized that this experience provides an opportunity to learn and improve his game. He acknowledged that the team may have rushed things during the second Test match and suggested that they slow down the pace of their play when they have their opponents in a vulnerable position.

The 33-year-old hopes that his new captaincy role in the absence of Cummins will help him regain his form, as he feels confident leading the Australian side in these conditions, having played a lot of cricket in India and being familiar with the nuances of the game.

The World No. 2 ranked batter boasts an impressive batting average of 67.14 against India, which is his highest among all the opponents he has faced more than ten times in Test cricket. Additionally, his average of 52.21 in India, which includes three centuries, is among the finest away from his home country. 

However, in the ongoing test series against India, he has underperformed with a meager 71 runs scored in four innings, including a three-ball duck in the first innings of the Delhi test match.

Thus, the upcoming third Test in Indore, commencing on Wednesday, March 1, will be of great importance in terms of determining Australia's prospects of winning the match. Smith's ability to deliver a solid batting performance could prove decisive in shaping the outcome of the game.