Ishant Sharma’s absence a big loss for India: Steven Smith

Steven Smith, the Australian batsman guided his side to a ODI series victory over India after scoring two quickfire centuries. However, Smith could not be much effective in the T20I series which Australia eventually lost 2-1. While speaking to the media before the Test series that gets underway from December 17, Steven Smith reckons that […]
 
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Ishant Sharma’s absence a big loss for India: Steven Smith

Steven Smith, the Australian batsman guided his side to a ODI series victory over India after scoring two quickfire centuries. However, Smith could not be much effective in the T20I series which Australia eventually lost 2-1.

While speaking to the media before the Test series that gets underway from December 17, Steven Smith reckons that the Indian bowling lineup is good and has experience on their side. Smith also admitted that Ishant Sharma’s absence in test series will be a major blow for India, as they might not be at their strongest in the bowling department.

“Ahh, I don’t know,” he responded when asked if this is India’s best ever attack. “It’s a good attack, obviously. They’re experienced now, particularly Shami and Bumrah. Ishant Sharma is probably a big loss for them at the start. If he’s not available for them in the first couple of Tests (Ishant has been ruled out of all four Tests)… he’s played a lot of cricket now and is a good bowler. Without him it may not be their strongest because I’m sure they’d like him to play, no doubt,” said Steven Smith.

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Sachin Tendulkar earlier called the Indian bowling lineup a complete attack but that does not give Steven Smith extra motivation to score runs. “I don’t know if there’s extra motivation, I’m always very motivated to go out and perform against anyone, particularly in big series. They are a good line-up, they’re pretty experienced now. Shami’s played a lot of cricket, Bumrah’s played a reasonable amount of cricket and is a quality bowler,” said Smith.

Ishant Sharma’s absence a big loss for India: Steven Smith

“Whichever spinner they use — Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, I’m not sure, we’ll wait and see there — they’ve all played a fair bit of cricket now. Their third quick hasn’t played quite as much, whoever they go with there. They’re all good bowlers and we’re going to have to be at our best as a bowling group this summer if we’re going to beat them.”

Australian batting depth will be tested in Warner’s absence: Steven Smith

Steven Smith’s role in the batting lineup gains prominence in the absence of David Warner due to a groin injury. Smith stated that he was not too concerned about the position he bats at, unless it’s lower than number 4.

“I think our depth is obviously going to be tested with Davey out and a few potentially new players coming in. It’ll test us out no doubt against a good Indian outfit,” he said.

“That (batting position) doesn’t bother me too much. I”ve batted a fair bit at No.3. Any lower than 4 I wouldn’t be overly happy. Anywhere up there I’m fine. When you bat at 3 you sometimes in the second ball of the game, that’s the reality of batting there so, someone at 3 could certainly go up the top. Whether that’s spoken about I’m not sure, but whoever bats wherever they’ve just got to do their job and that’s to score runs.”

“I wouldn’t put any more pressure on myself. I go out there and do my job and that’s to try and score as many runs as I can no matter who is playing or what the circumstances are. I guess we’ll wait and see what happens with the next A game and what the selectors want to do and what you have. We’re still a week out before the first Test and they’ve got a game to play against India up there so we’ll wait and see where it all lands,” Steven Smith said.

Steven Smith stated that it was hard for him to be on the sidelines during India’s victory over Australia in the test series in 2018-19. “I watched bits and pieces (of India’s last tour of Australia). It was difficult sitting on the sidelines and not being able to go out there and make a difference, that was the toughest thing for me knowing I probably could make a difference if I was out there.”

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“That was hard, but it’s an exciting series coming up. We are playing some really good cricket, India are a terrific side, they have some unbelievable batters and a great bowling line-up and I think we’ve got a really good bowling line-up as well,” he concluded.