On Steve Smith vs Pat Cummins Captaincy Debate, Australia Great's Verdict

09.03.2023 - 10:33 sports.ndtv.com

Australia bagged a nine-wicket victory over India in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, after facing big defeats in the first two matches.

The visitors arrived in India with star pacer Pat Cummins leading the pack in the first two Tests. However, Cummins had to fly back home to be with his ailing mother and in his absence, team's vice-captain Steve Smith took over the reign.

Smith, who was refrained from the captaincy after he was found guilty in the 2018 'sandpaper gate' incident in South Africa, was recently shown the green signal from the ICC.

The batter's stint as a captain turned out to be a blessing for Australia as he guided the visitors to a big win in the third Test.

cricket Australia Cricket Team 2023 Cummins on Pat Cummins Steve Smith Steven Smith Australia South Africa India Delhi

Australia's Steve Smith will debut as a commentator at the upcoming Indian Premier League, the tournament's broadcaster said Tuesday, ending the mystery about his return to the event. The 16th edition of the cash-rich Twenty20 extravaganza begins Friday in Ahmedabad, with 10 teams and a host of global stars in attendance for the eight-week tournament. "Steve Smith has joined the expert panel for the marquee tournament. Smith will be making his broadcast debut with Star Sports, adding his invaluable insights and expertise to Star Sports' already impressive roster of panelists," the broadcaster said in a statement.

"Fortunate I Was Able To Hang On To It": Steve Smith On His Terrific Catch To Dismiss Hardik Pandya In 2nd ODI

After registering a thumping 10-wicket victory over India, captain Steve Smith lauded Australia's "outstanding" bowlers and said Mitchell Starc in particular with the new ball put Men in Blue under pressure. Starc's fifer followed by Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head's brutal hitting guided Australia to 10 wickets victory with 234 balls to spare against India in the second ODI of the three-match series at YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Starc returned with a figure of 5/53 in eight overs, his ninth ODI five-wicket haul, as India was bundled out for 117 runs in 26 overs.

Watch: Steve Smith Yawns During 1st ODI vs India. Fans Find Similarity With Sarfaraz Ahmed

Australia skipper Steve Smith and his team did not have a good outing in the first ODI at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Friday as Team India defeated them by 5 wickets in a low-scoring thriller. India's stand-in skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl first in the game that saw regular captain Rohit Sharma missing out due to family commitments. For Australia, Mitchell Starc shone with an 81-run knock off 65 balls, but other batters failed to replicate him as the guests were bundled out for 188 runs.

Pat Cummins To Stay Home, Steve Smith Named Captain Of Australian Team For Odi Series Against India

Pat Cummins to stay home, Steve Smith named captain of Australian team for ODI series against India, Cricket Australia has confirmed. Cummins had returned home after the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India to be with his ailing mother who was in palliative care. A few days later, Cummins' mother sadly passed away. In the pacer's absence, Steve Smith led the Australian team in the 3rd and 4th Test against Australia. Speaking of the development, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Smith will continue to lead Australia on the India tour.

"Madness...": Steve Smith On How Delhi And Ahmedabad Tests Were Different

Following his side's series loss to India, Australia skipper Steve Smith said that the wicket was too flat at Ahmedabad to force a result and his side started playing better cricket as the series went on. Half-centuries from Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne helped Australia draw the fourth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Monday. "Did end slowly. Was a pretty flat at the back end. The boys had a great time. The hospitality has been amazing. The crowd has been amazing. We started to play better as the series went on. The madness in one hour in Delhi cost us that game. The wicket here was too flat for us to force a result. The spinners bowled really well. Murphy and Kuhnemann bowled with composure. Lyon bowled his best in the first innings here, the best I have seen him bowl. I am getting a bit old (on asked if he will be touring India in four years time)," said Smith in a post-match presentation.

Watch: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith's Expressions After Axar Patel's 80m Six Go Viral

Axar Patel has been used as a third-choice spinner till now by skipper Rohit Sharma but the all-rounder impressed everyone with his batting prowess on Day 4 of the fourth Test match between India and Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Axar slammed a valuable 79 to provide perfect support to Virat Kohli and guide India to a solid position in the match. One of the shots from Axar that was the highlight of the day's play was a massive six off Matthew Kuhnemann as he heaved the ball over the mid-wicket boundary. The shot left everyone stunned with Kohli breaking into a smile and Australia's stand-in skipper Steve Smith looking baffled by the power and distance of the shot.