To say that Steve Smith has done a tremendous job leading the Australian side in Pat Cummins' absence would be an understatement. The 33-year-old has marshaled his troops in a terrific fashion and his leadership is one of the primary reasons why the Baggy Greens have given India tough competition in the ongoing tour. Still, former all-rounder and Smith's longtime teammate, Shane Watson doesn't want the 33-year-old to lead the Australian side.
"No Steve shouldn't be leading the Aussie side again as Pat Cummins is doing good. He is doing a great job as a great leader. No question Steve Smith should lead the team," Watson told ANI.
Cummins had left for Australia after the completion of the second Border-Gavaskar Test match against India in Delhi to tend to his mother Maria, who recently passed away. Smith took the captaincy job in Cummins' absence and his leadership infused a new energy in the Baggy Greens' camp. A tour that heading towards complete embarrassment was saved by Smith's captaincy as Australia clawed their way back into the Border-Gavaskar series after losing the opening two matches.
Smith led Australia to a traffic win in the third Test match in Indore and ensured that his country doesn't lose any further Test matches against India.
Even in the ODI series, Smith has led the Australian outfit in an astute manner. After the visitors lost a hard-fought first ODI game in Mumbai, the Baggy Green came back to register a resounding 10-wicket win in Visakhapatnam to level the three-match series 1-1.
Talking about the Visakhapatnam ODI, left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc and demolished India's famed batting line-up with an outstanding spell of bowling. Starc bagged his ninth career five-wicket haul as Australia bundled India out for a paltry score of 117 runs.
Once again, Smith's decision-making and remarkable leadership were on full display. With Starc bowling exceedingly well and extracting purchase from the pitch, Smith stuck with his strike bowler and give him a lengthy opening spell. The left-arm pacer bowled six over straight before taking a rest.
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