Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta recently had a conversation with former Australian captain Steve Smith. He opened up about his conversation with Steve Smith about his batting position in the upcoming Border- Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Dasgupta claimed that Smith is thinking about opening in the 5 match test series.
Steve Smith after David Warner’s Retirement
Steve Smith is playing as an opener for Australia following David Warner’s retirement from test cricket.
He has managed just 171 runs in eight innings with the best score of an unbeaten 91 runs against West Indies. The 35- year old is quite dangerous at No. 4, scoring most of his runs at this position. He scored 5966 runs in 111 innings at an average of 61.51, including 19 tons and 26 half- centuries.
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Steve Smith opens in Big Bash League (BBL) and Major League Cricket (MLC ). But Dasgupta pointed out that test cricket is a different ball game all together. The cricketer- turned- commentator told Talksport:
” I bumped into him recently and asked him ‘ You opening? What’s that about? And I did ask him ‘Are you going to open against India as well? And he said ‘ Yeah, I am thinking about it’ yeah, you should, why not?’ Because it’s quite baffling.”
“If you’re an Indian, you’d be happy to see Steve Smith opening. You don’t want to see Steve Smith batting at No.4 or down the order because it’s baffling. Almost the peak of his career he’s done so well over so many years batting at that number. Starting to open? It’s different ball game you know,” He continued.
Deep Dasgupta on Steve smith batting positing
Dasgupta said “I found it very surprising”.
Former Cricketer is surprised by Australia’s decision on letting Steve Smith open the innings. He said so because Smith’s performance is not flattering as an opener. He is much more dangerous at No.4.
“I can understand that he’s not scoring runs and you’re trying to still find a place for him. That’s the only spot available. Stuff like ‘We can only fit you in there so why don’t you try that position’. But that wasn’t the case, was it? I don’t know. I found it very surprising. I’ve heard other teams doing it but not Australia. There is a plan behind everything they have done the years.” The former cricketer said.
