“A Game Of Chess”: Steve Smith Opens Up On Captaining Australia In India

Steve Smith loves captaining India and compares it to a game of chess, which motivates one to stay one step ahead of the match. Smith, who stood in for full-time skipper Pat Cummins while he was back home looking after his ailing mother, led Australia to a memorable nine-wicket win in the third Test against India here on Friday. Australia’s batting mainstay, who was their captain on the last tour in 2017, also prefers to play on spin-friendly tracks rather than on quieter wickets that take a full five days of play. Reflecting on the win in the most challenging of conditions, Smith said he couldn’t be more proud of his team, which bounced back after losing the first two Tests inside three days.

“It is very difficult to get them. For us to come out on top in this game, especially after losing the toss, it shows the talent of our group and the belief we have in ourselves.

“We screwed it up in Delhi, let that slip, but we had a good break and good preparation coming here.

“It was about getting our mental state right. It was about trusting in ourselves and our methods. It was about having faith that we would be successful and taking the result out of the game.”

After Australia won the first Test in India, Smith said, “We are delighted to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship, which has obviously been on our radar for a while. Glad for this team to stick to it.” The thing is.” in six years.

Smith is one of the smartest thinkers in the game and it shows in his decision making on the field. In Cummins’ absence, Smith said he has done his job and enjoyed the responsibility.

“No, my time is up. It’s Paddy’s (Pat Cummins) team now. I’m glad I’ve been able to stand in those conditions this week, obviously Paddy is going home. Our thoughts are still coming back home with him.

“Look, India is the part of the world I love captaining. It’s a game of chess, every ball means something. It’s important to get people to step up and make the batsman think and do something different and just play the game with them.” Good fun. It’s probably my favorite place in the world to captain.” He said that captaincy at home is very easy.

“You think back home in Australia, you usually play with third slip or up or behind square leg or pull third slip to cover… not much happens, you play the same game. Stick to the plan and believe in what you are trying to do out there.

“In this part of the world, you have to be very active. Every ball is an event and that ball can decide what happens ball after ball. Something I really enjoy. I thought I played well this week.” Did and it went well,” he said.

Prefer to play on these wickets instead of flat pitches series with former players criticizing Turner. However, Smith is not fazed by this and relishes the challenge.

“All wickets have turned, haven’t they? We haven’t got three days yet. That shows that all Tests have spin from day one. I like to play on these wickets, which go on for five days. And… it can get boring in stages.

“There’s always something happening on these wickets. You have to work really hard for your runs, but the guys have shown they can do it. Usman in the first innings, Pujara in Nagpur, Rohit, Axar, handscomb… so people can.” That and you also need some luck.

“With this one, yeah, I’m not entirely sure if it could have had a bit more potential from the first ball, but it was an enjoyable Test nonetheless,” Smith said, referring to the Indore pitch.

The break came at a good time for us =================== After self-destructing in Delhi from a strong position, Australia got a 10-day break before the third test. Some of them went on short breaks, while others stayed back in Delhi.

“I think the break came at a good time for us. We were obviously disappointed with the way things ended in the last game where we had our opportunities, especially knowing then that we were really going to win the series.” Can’t win, considering it’s in the bucket.” List of some boys.

“So yeah, for the boys to be able to regroup, trust themselves in what they wanted to do and do it over a long period of time, it’s something we’ve talked about.

“The boys already had their plans. It was about sticking to them for a really long time. That’s what the guys were practicing for. We were maybe a little bit away from that in the last game and parts of the first game. Went.”

“It’s nice for the boys to just double down and keep believing in what we’re trying to do and the way we’re trying to play,” he said.

Excessive use of the sweep let the team down in the second Test.

The style of play is very different in India and Pakistan =============================== Australia toured Pakistan for the first time Was. 24 years and three test match series won 1-0. The flat wickets during the series last year came under severe criticism. Smith said that playing in India and Pakistan is a different game.

“The style of play is very different here and in Pakistan. Pakistan didn’t really spin much. You had to wait a lot in Pakistan. In India, you have to be ahead of the game, think on your feet and try and make things happen. Make frequent changes to happen.

“I spoke to the spinners on Day 1 morning that they have to take our egos out of the game. For them the pitch is spinning and they want to bowl.

“But we have three of you. If I get you off, it doesn’t mean you are bowling poorly.”

He said, ‘It’s just that someone else can do a better job at that time. When you have three spinners, you have to work in that way and keep them as fresh as possible. I am happy with the way I handled it. He,” said Smith. PTI BS AH AH

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