Ex-India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has disclosed that Australian batting juggernaut Steve Smith is considering opening the batting in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy against India which is slated to start from November 22. Since the retirement of David Warner, Smith has taken on the role of opener for Australia, scoring 171 runs in 8 innings so far.
Steve Smith considers opening in Border Gavaskar Trophy
However, Smith's natural strength lies in the middle order, where he has built a reputation as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation. With a staggering 5966 runs from 67 matches at an average of 61.50 at No.4, Smith has been a force to be reckoned with. In a recent conversation with talkSport, Dasgupta disclosed that he encountered Smith and asked him about his plans for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. To Dasgupta's surprise, Smith revealed that he was contemplating opening the batting against India. This decision, according to Dasgupta, is quite baffling given Smith's established success in the middle order.
Dasgupta believes that Indian cricket fans would be delighted to see Steve Smith open the batting in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Given Smith's history of tormenting Indian bowlers at the No.4 position, Dasgupta suggests that Indian fans might find it even more challenging to contain him at the top of the order.
This is how the coversation between Deep Dasgupta and Steve Smith goes:
"I bumped into him recently and I 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'. I said '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 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 a different ball game you know," said Dasgupta.
Steve Smith has previously opened the batting in both franchise cricket and T20 International matches for Australia. This experience suggests that he has the skills and adaptability to succeed at the top of the order.
"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,” Dasgupta concluded.
Take a look at Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25's schedule
- 1st Test: Fri, 22 Nov 2024 – Tue, 26 Nov 2024, Perth Stadium: Start Time: 8:00 AM (GMT: 2:30 AM | Local: 10:30 AM)
- 2nd Test: Fri, 6 Dec 2024 – Tue, 10 Dec 2024, Adelaide Oval: Start Time: 9:30 AM (GMT: 4:00 AM | Local: 2:30 PM)
- 3rd Test: Sat, 14 Dec 2024 – Wed, 18 Dec 2024, The Gabba, Brisbane: Start Time: 5:30 AM (GMT: 12:00 AM | Local: 10:00 AM)
- 4th Test: Thu, 26 Dec 2024 – Mon, 30 Dec 2024, Melbourne Cricket Ground: Start Time: 5:30 AM (GMT: 12:00 AM | Local: 11:00 AM)
- 5th Test: Fri, 3 Jan 2025 – Tue, 7 Jan 2025, Sydney Cricket Ground: Start Time: 5:30 AM (GMT: 12:00 AM | Local: 11:00 AM)
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