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India vs Australia: Steve Smith says why Indian cricket team hurt Aussies
Steve Smith hailed India’s fighting spirit after the hosts defeated Australia in Dharamsala to reclaim the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The India vs Australia Test series saw several acrimonious moments
Steve Smith was gracious in defeat after India clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-1 series victory following their win in the fourth Test match in Dharamsala. (HIGHLIGHTS)
The Aussie captain proclaimed the four-match Test series was one of the best he had ever played in and gave credit to the Indian side. (SCORECARD)
“It was a magnificent series. Probably one of the best that I’ve been a part of so far. I thought we played some very good cricket throughout the series . We probably had our opportunities at times but credit to India. They are a fantastic cricket side, particularly in their own backyard here and if you give them a sniff, they are going to take it. So credit to India for winning the series 2-1,” Smith told former Indian cricketer Ravi Shashtri in the post-match interviews on the field.
He also felt that the young Australian side would take much away from the series despite the defeat.
“Yeah, it was a fantastic learning curve. For Australians, India is one of the toughest places to tour. I think the way the guys were able to adapt and challenge India in these conditions was fantastic. The guys came with some really good plans and I think it was just about doing those for a little bit longer but I’m really proud of the way the boys have competed throughout the series.”
Smith highlighted that the work put in by India’s bowlers in the second session of the third day had resulted in the victory swinging the way of the hosts in the fourth Test in Dharamsala.
“That middle session when we lost five for seventy or so, when you do that, you are going to put yourself behind the eight ball more often than not. Credit to India, I thought they bowled particularly well yesterday afternoon. I thought Umesh Yadav was fantastic, he’s been great all series along with the spinners as well. They did a terrific job.”
“I think just the way we were able to compete in this series. A lot of people wrote us off before we got here. They thought it was going to be a 4-0 whitewash. But I must say I’m really proud of the way we adapted and competed against quality Indian line-up. Like I said, it’s about having those plans in place and following them. We probably let a few moments slip and against a quality outfit like India you can’t afford to do that. We’ve learned a lot out of this series and hopefully this young side will take a lot away from it and hopefully that will improve us going forward.”
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Smith was at the epicenter of plenty of controversy both on and off the field. In his final word, Smith said he hoped to let bygones be bygones.
“I’ve been pretty intense throughout this series. I just wanted to do well for my team and lead from the front with my performance. At times I’ve probably been in my own little bubble and let my emotions slip a little bit so I apologise for that. But I’ve really enjoyed playing in this series and it’s been a really good learning curve for me and the team as well.”