Smith rejects whitewash talk
STEVE Smith dismissed predictions yesterday that Australia face another series whitewash against India but admitted they had to show more fight to have any chance of stopping the world’s number one Test team.
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh have both forecast a clean sweep for the hosts when the archrivals begin their four-Test series today in Pune.
India, who are on a recordbreaking 19-match unbeaten run, toppled Australia from the top of the Test rankings back in August when Smith’s side were beaten 3-0 in Sri Lanka.
That was the third time in a row that the Australians had lost all of their Tests in away series against teams from the subcontinent, a sequence which began with a 4-0 reverse in India in 2013.
But speaking to reporters on the eve of the first Test, Australia skipper Smith said the tourists knew they were in for a difficult series but rejected the idea that another whitewash was on the cards.
“I don’t believe that’s the case. I’m confident in the squad we’ve got here to compete against India,” he said. “India have played some very good cricket of late, particularly at home, so we’re under no illusions there, it’s go- ing to be tough. But we’ve got the squad here that can compete in these conditions.”
Smith said Australia were determined not to dwell too much on their most recent performances on the subcontinent but admitted that a repeat would spell disaster.
“Obviously some of the away performances of late haven’t been up to standard from my point of view and the Australian cricket team’s point of view,” he said. “We want to change the way we play away from home. We want to be more adaptable to conditions and show some fight.
“For me it’s starting things fresh. We have come here with a positive mindset. The more we think about the last time we came here or Sri Lanka, we start to lose.”
One of the main subplots of the series will be the battle between Smith and his opposite number Virat Kohli who are respectively ranked number one and two in the Test batting rankings. Both men have continued to score heavily since being made skipper and Kohli – who has scored four double centuries since July – heaped praise on Smith.
“Captain’s responsibility has helped him to focus a bit more in certain situations and push that much extra for his team,” said Kohli. “That has shown in his performances. He is the number one Test player in the world and there’s a reason for that.”
‘World class’ Starc
Kohli also had warm words for the Australian paceman Mitchell Starc who is seen as the tourists’ main bowling threat despite India’s reputation for having spin-friendly pitches.
“He is a world class bowler, we all know that. He has been hampered by injuries quite often, but the way he has evolved as a bowler, it’s been outstanding,” said Kohli. “He has learnt the art of reverse swing and bowling with the old ball as well. It’s amazing to see, the way he has developed his skills.”
Although Smith has encouraged his players to get in the face of the hosts, his vice captain David Warner has warned that such tactics might end up only spurring on Kohli.
The Indian skipper said his naturally competitive nature would take over when he was on the pitch and that players on both sides understood that anything that was said in the heat of battle should not be taken personally.
“See, I am really good friends with them . . . but I know where to draw the line of friendship as well,” said Kohli.
After the match in Pune, the two sides are also due to play Tests in Bangalore, Ranchi and Dharamsala.