Ajinkya is more chilled out than Virat: Smith

Team Udayavani, Mar 24, 2017, 5:57 PM IST

Dharamsala: Australia’s Steve Smith today felt Ajinkya Rahane will do a good job as skipper in the probable absence of Virat Kohli, terming the India vice-captain a “more chilled out guy” than his opposite number.

Asked how much India would miss Kohli’s leadership if he is forced to skip the series-deciding fourth Test, Smith showered accolades on his Rising Pune Supergiants teammate.

“No, I think they’ll be fine. I think Ajinkya Rahane will probably step up to captain their side. I thought he did a pretty good job last week (in Ranchi) when he was out on the field in Virat’s absence. So, I’m confident, he’ll be able to do a good job for them.”

Playing alongside Rahane has given Smith an opportunity to know him and his assessment is that the Mumbaikar is less emotional.

“He (Rahane) is probably a bit more chilled out, out on the field. Probably, not quite as emotional. But, no, look, I think he understands the game really well.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play a fair bit of cricket with Ajinkya, and I think he reads the game and understands the game really well. So if Virat was to miss this Test match, then I’m sure the Indian side will still be in very good hands.”

The visiting captain praised Shreyas Iyer, Kohli’s possible replacement.

“He (Iyer) is pretty aggressive and he probably hit the first ball he faced for a six if I remember correctly. The knock was on a pretty good wicket, where there was not much of pace on the wicket in Mumbai and we didn’t play any of our frontline pacers (Starc and Hazlewood).

“So he played really well there. It is just one game but he definitely looks like a good player for future.”

Going into the match, Smith said the favourites tag doesn’t bother him one bit.

“I am not really bothered if we are the favourites or underdogs to be honest with you. It is a game of cricket, 1-1 in the series and everything to play for in this game. As I said earlier, I am not worried about the end result or the match.

“I am just focussed on controlling what we can and take it one ball at a time and the process. We have to concentrate a much more than what we have been doing and it is a beautiful place in Dharamsala and it is just exciting for us as a team.” 

Smith is not surprised with his team’s spirited display in the series.

“We’ve worked very hard, guys have been pretty clear in the way they’ve wanted to play and the game plans they’ve been able to formulate. For me, the most pleasing thing is we have been able to take it out in the middle.

“We have talked a lot, for many years, coming over to these conditions, and we have said the right things but once we’ve got out in the middle, we haven’t been able to put them together. The stage is really set now for a fantastic fourth Test match and the guys are really excited by that.”

Smith said that the team has played to its potential against a quality side like India.

“India are a very tough side to play against, particularly here at home. We’ve seen the cricket they’ve played over this summer. They have played some very good cricket. For me, it was about us trying to find ways to play the way we need to play out here.

“And as I’ve said before, I’m proud of the way the boys have gone about their business, of formulating plans that can work in these conditions. It’s so hard to just attack all the time as you probably can in Australia.”