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‘Ashwin and I have had…’ – Steve Smith praises India’s ace spinner ahead of Border Gavaskar series

Australia's star batter Steve Smith praises Indian cricket star R. Ashwin and also spoke about his plans to tackle the spinner ahead of the Border Gavaskar Series.

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R Ashwin and Steve Smith

Australian batter Steve Smith has lavished huge praise on Indian spin ace R. Ashwin ahead of the five-match Test series. Both players have shared a healthy rivalry for the last decade and have been the main players for their side. Steve Smith is getting ready to play the first Test match in Perth which starts on Friday. 

The 35-year-old sat down to speak with the Sydney Morning Herald ahead of the start of the huge series. Smith as quoted by SPORTSKEEDA said “When you have five matches, if someone gets on top of another player, they could have 10 innings against them. So you’re facing those mental challenges each game, and if it goes one way early, they will feel under pressure against that player. There’s nowhere to hide in five games like there are in a two-game series. Ashwin and I have had some good battles over the years."

Just a few days ago, Ashwin had made a huge statement on Steve Smith while speaking to 7 Cricket. “Steve Smith is someone that’s fascinating as a player against spin. He has a unique technique even playing against fast bowlers. But I think with spin, he has come up with sound game plans and over the years I have found ways and means to break it down”

Steve Smith speaks about challenges playing against Ashwin 

In the last series, Ashwin dismissed Steve Smith in the Adelaide Test and then dismissed him in the next game in Melbourne. Smith on the other hand batted well during the India tour in 2017 where he scored nearly 500 runs. The then-Australian skipper was the only batter who batted well against India’s bowling mainstay. 

Speaking to Sydney Morning Herald, the 35-year-old also said “Ashwin nicked me off in the first innings in Adelaide and then got me at leg slip at the MCG on a tacky wicket. I don’t like getting out to off-spin in Australia. I feel as though it should be, particularly for a right-handed batter, relatively easy to face. But he’s also a very good bowler and he came in with some decent plans”

The veteran Australian batter added “There were a couple of occasions where he got on top of me, then I got on top of him at the SCG when I was a bit more proactive. So that’s key for me. Just be proactive against him and not let him settle and bowl the way he wants to."

With Nathan McSweeney set to make his Test debut, Steve Smith’s time as an opener has ended. The 35-year-old is looking forward to his move back to the number four spot in the batting order. Smith has enjoyed huge success while batting at his favorite position and is looking to score runs against India. 

“It always makes your summer better when you start well. It gives you a lot of confidence. It’d be nice to be able to hit the ground running with some runs in the first game and help the team win. It’s about not overthinking things. It’s playing each ball as it comes and keeping it simple. When I’m playing my best, I’m not overthinking and I’m just playing what’s in front of me. It’s going to be a good battle." Steve Smith ended by saying.

Ravichandran Ashwin Steve Smith Border Gavaskar Trophy
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