India Vs Australia, 2017: India Will Come Back Hard In Next Three Tests, Says Steven Smith
Feb 26, 2017 at 1:57 PM
After thumping 333-run victory inside three days over India in the first Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Pune against India, Australian skipper, who alongside left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe played a significant role in the series opener has expressed India will come hard at visitors’ in their own backyard as Australia register their first win since 2004 in India.
The 27-year-old right-handed batsman Smith has warned his players against early complacency against the hosts’ which are enough capable of turning on the tables after a dismal performance with the bat when the side was bundled out for 105 in the first innings and 107 in the second respectively.
“It’s certainly going to be a difficult next three Test matches. India are a quality side in their own backyard and they are going to come back hard at us,” Smith was quoted as saying by AFP.
Interestingly, Team India was dismissed in 74 overs in both the innings of the first Test.
“In this Test, we didn’t let India back in the game after the first innings. So that it’s pleasing we’re learning and trying to improve in different ways,” Smith further added.
O’Keefe bagged 12 wickets in the match and Smith scored 27 in the first innings and 109 in the second to put an end to the India’s 19-match unbeaten streak in Tests under the dynamic leadership of Virat Kohli since August 2015.
“For us it’s continuing to worry about the processes and if we do that for long periods hopefully we can have more success on this tour,” Smith added.
However, Smith is satisfied with his team’s performance in Asia as Australia in the recent past had a poor record in Tests in the sub-continent.
“We probably kept the foot on the throat (in Pune). When we got ourselves in the positions to win in Sri Lanka, we let the opposition get back into the game. We know as batters the longer you are out in the middle, things get easier,” remarked Smith.
On the other side, Kohli has urged to give hundred percent before vowing to come back in the remainder of the Tests after receiving the hammering in the first Test.
“We just want to take the learnings forward, improve and come back stronger in the next game,” stated Kohli.
Australia leads the four-match series by 1-0 with the second Test to be played on March four at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.