Australian hitter Steve Smith is one of the best hitters of his generation. He is used to dominating the opposition with his hitting and was recently named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Decade as well. But things have not gone well for Smith in the ongoing test series against India. Indian bowlers have dominated the proceedings against Smith, with R Ashwin being the main architect of his downfall.
Smith has scored just 10 runs in 4 innings in the series thus far while Ashwin turned him down twice. Australia would need Smith to be at his best in Test 3 as they look to bounce back from a demoralizing 8-wicket loss to India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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Speaking of his duel with Ashwin, Smith lamented his inability to score runs in the series and also admitted that he has let the spinner dictate the terms of the series.
“I probably haven’t played Ashwin as well as I would have liked. I probably would have liked to have put him under a little more pressure, “Smith told SEN Radio.
“I kind of let him dictate the terms and that’s something I’ve probably never let any spinner do in my career. In a way I have taken it, I have been a little more aggressive and I have made them change things, “he said.
“It’s kind of a two-edged sword in a way, but I think I have to have the confidence to take it on and play my game,” Smith continued.
“Right now I’m looking for time in between; that’s the most important thing to me. When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I’ve spent in between, during those one-day games.
Ashwin was also asked about Smith and the importance of his window and said that India had made plans for him. Ashwin is happy that he was able to execute those plans.
“Coming to Australia and if you can’t get Steven Smith out, it will always be an uphill task,” he told Channel 7.
“It pretty much holds the batting lineup together.”
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