Former wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta recently revealed Steve Smith’s strategy for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. Deep Dasgupta said that Rohit Sharma and the Indian team would prefer to see Steve Smith open the batting order rather than bat in the middle.
Smith could play a crucial role in helping Australia win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The right-handed batsman is known for his success as a middle-order player but has moved into the opener’s role following the retirement of David Warner. Smith opened the batting against West Indies and New Zealand.
Smith has scored 171 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.50 as an opener, with a best score of 91 not out in Brisbane. The former Australia captain has amassed almost 6,000 runs from the No. 4 spot, averaging 61.51. Australia will have to decide whether to move Smith back to the middle order.
Glad to see Steve Smith open – Deep Dasgupta
Deep Dasgupta said that Indian players would probably prefer to see Steve Smith open the batting order rather than playing in the middle of the order. He said that Smith has been successful at the No. 4 spot throughout his career. Dasgupta pointed out that opening the batting order is different compared to batting in the middle of the order.
“If you’re an Indian, you’ll be happy to see Steve Smith as an opener. You don’t want to see Steve Smith batting at No. 4 or lower down the order because it’s disconcerting. Almost at the peak of his career, he’s done very well for so many years batting at that number,” Dasgupta said on talkSPORT Cricket.
“Starting to open? It’s a different game, you know. Anyone who has played at any level of cricket will tell you that middle order in Test cricket and opening are two very different jobs. When you come in to bat with 20 overs bowled and a new ball, they are very different,” he added.
He said, “I am thinking about it” – Deep Dasgupta
Deep Dasgupta shared a recent encounter with Smith, where he asked him about his batting position in the BGT 2023-24. Dasgupta said Smith confirmed that he was considering changing his batting position.
“I met him recently and I asked him, ‘Are you going to open the tournament? What’s the point of that?’ And I asked him, ‘Are you going to open against India as well?’ And he said, ‘Yes, I am thinking about it.’ I said, ‘Yes, you should, why not?’ Because it’s quite disconcerting,” Dasgupta added.
Steve Smith has had a good record against India in Test cricket. The batsman missed the 2018-19 series where India triumphed 2-1. Smith served a 12-month ban for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal. He failed to make much of an impact during the Test series against India in the 2020-21 series.
Smith had a modest performance in the last home Test series against India, scoring 313 runs. His struggles continued the following year, when he managed just 145 runs in four Test matches in India. As Australia look to break a decade-long losing streak against India, Smith will be a crucial player.
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