As the date draws near for India's gruelling tour of Australia, starting Friday, there seems to be a headache for the fans, as well as the Team India management, as a number of injuries have put the visitors in a spot of bother. Furthermore, Australia are looking to field a formidable squad, including Steve Smith.
undefined
India would be without opener Rohit Sharma, who is nursing a hamstring strain and would miss out on the limited-overs campaign. In contrast, skipper Virat Kohli would miss out after the first Test, as he looks to come back to India, ahead of the birth of his first child, with Bollywood wife, Anushka Sharma.
undefined
Meanwhile, Smith, who missed out on the last time when India toured Australia, in 2018-19, is looking to make an impact this season. Furthermore, he is looking to exploit the void created by Rohit and Kohli's absence in the Indian squad.
undefined
"Look, Rohit is obviously a tremendous white-ball player. He has proven that for a number of years now at the top of the order, so obviously, it leaves a bit of hole. But, I guess the beauty with the Indian team is there are so many batters coming through, that are of high quality," said Smith to Sony Sports Network.
undefined
"You can look at someone like Mayank Agarwal in the IPL, just smashed, KL Rahul in the top order as well. There are plenty of options there for them, so look, you leave a hole no doubt, but quality players there to back him up," explained Smith.
undefined
"The same (like Rohit) I think with Virat and the Test squad. You know there are a number of players who can come in and do a good job. Virat is of obviously of high quality, and we know how good he has been in all forms for a long period of times, so it is certainly going to leave a hole, but I still do believe that they have got some quality batters waiting in the wings to fill that void," Smith added.
undefined
The last time India toured, Australia had lost the Tests 1-2, without Smith. Speaking on the same, Smith reckoned, "I don't know if it makes me hungrier. I am always pretty hungry to go out and perform and do well. I guess it was tough watching from the sidelines and particularly, with the team not doing as well."
undefined
"Obviously, they wouldn't have liked losing that series. That was difficult to watch, that was hard, but certainly look forward to this series, two of the top teams in the word going out, two quality pace and batting line-ups and makes for an interesting and exciting summer," admitted Smith.
undefined
Indo-Oz battles are famous for on-field sledging and mind games, to which Smith reacted by saying, "People talk so much about sledging and stuff, but really, there is very little that happens in our days. I think that's probably a lot to do with things like IPL."
undefined
"You know IPL brings players from all around the world together, so for instance, if you get stuck in to someone one day, you might be playing with them a few weeks or a few months later..... And then, it's a bit awaked sort of conversation, so honestly, it does not happen too much in our days," concluded Smith.
undefined