As IPL ends, Pune skipper Smith bids farewell to India
MUMBAI: Rising Pune Supergiant skipper Steve Smith bid a fond farewell to India, thanking everyone who helped him enjoy an unforgettable stay in the country.
The Australia captain arrived in India for the four-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series which began in February, and then stayed on to play in the IPL.
Now, four-months on, Smith will play the last match of his long stay in India when he leads Rising Pune Supergiant against Mumbai Indians in the final of the 2017 IPL.
Sensing that he would only have a few more nights in the subcontinent, Smith took to Instagram to bid adieu. “The last 4 months here in India have been incredible. There has been some ups and downs along the way but I’ve learnt such a great deal. The Tests were tough but so enjoyable to be a part of. I’ve met some wonderful people, and I’ve made some new friends.
The IPL and playing with Pune has been a terrific experience and I look forward to spending my last night here in India battling it out in the Final. Thank you to everyone here in India that has made this trip so unforgettable. #grateful #opportunity (sic),” Smith wrote on Instagram, posting a collage of four photos as well.
The photos perfectly reflect his four-month stay in India.
The first photo shows Smith with MS Dhoni, who he replaced as Rising Pune Supergiant skipper at the start of IPL 2017. Smith and Dhoni have shared the plaudits for their leadership skills that helped RPS reach the final.
The second photo shows Smith rubbing noses with the Dalai Lama, a ritual, when the Australia players met the Tibetan spiritual leader ahead of the fourth and final Test against India in Dharamsala. The third photo shows Smith sprawled on the ground with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha in an image from the third Test in Ranchi where Saha tried to ‘catch’ the ball stuck in Smith’s pad and appealed.
The struggle saw both on the ground, leaving Indian and Australian players as well as match officials in stitches. It was a rare light moment that eased the tension in the series. The last image is that of Smith celebrating a century. The Australian skipper was the top run-getter in the series, scoring three centuries in the four Tests; at Pune, Ranchi and Dharamsala. Smith took part in the festivities and blended in the RPS set-up, playing winning knocks on several occasions. He has been one of the outstanding contributors in the campaign and is the team’s top run-getter (15 games, 421 runs). While many expected clashes with Dhoni, the two worked in unison to guide RPS’ younger players.