INDORE: One doesn’t know if the term ‘match-winning captaincy’ is a thing, but Steve Smith sure served up an example of it in the Indore Test.
In the process, he showed yet again that he is a natural in the leadership role, ‘SanderpaperGate’ controversy notwithstanding. Australian cricket may have paid a heavy price by denying him the top job for so long, except in situations where he stands in for Pat Cummins, like in the third Test here, and proves all over again how good he is tactically compared to the regular skipper.
Smith’s captaincy here on a difficult surface has been pinpoint accurate, his choosing of ends for specific bowlers praiseworthy, and the constant shuffling of his band of merry men in catching positions designed to stifle opposition batters. Even his use of the DRS has been generally confident.
1/10:Indore pitch rated 'poor' after third Test ended inside three days
2/10:ICC's whip on Indore dust bowl
<p>The ICC on Friday rated the pitch used for the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match at the Holkar Stadium as "poor".</p>Getty Images
3/10:Result in 7 sessions
<p>Australia beat India by nine wickets in Indore in a little over two days on a rank turner.</p>Getty Images
4/10:The demerit points
<p>The poor rating also earned Indore 3 demerit points and it will remain active for a 5 years rolling period.</p>Getty Images
5/10:The effect
<p>A venue that gets 5 demerit points over a 5-year period is suspended from hosting international cricket for 12 months.</p>Getty Images
6/10:Hosts deflated
<p>India were all out for 109 and 163 in their two innings in Indore.</p>
7/10:Aussies have the last laugh
<p>Australia managed 197 in their first essay before knocking off required 76 runs for a win on the 3rd morning.</p>
8/10:Will BCCI challenge the sanction?
<p>The report has been forwarded to BCCI, who now have 14 days if they wish to appeal against the sanction.</p>PTI
9/10:Match referee's verdict
<p>"The pitch was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat & ball and favoured spinners from the start," said Chris Broad.</p>Getty Images
10/10:Aussies seal WTC final spot
<p>Win in Indore helped Australia seal a place in the WTC final in June.</p>APPace legend Glenn McGrath hinted a few days back that “batters should always be captains”, and Australia do have a long tradition of making their best batter the leader.
Smith has now led Australia to more Test wins in India than Mark Taylor, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Allan Border and Michael Clarke. He is among only five Australian captains to win two or more Tests on Indian soil. Bill Lawry leads the list with three wins, while Richie Benaud, Adam Gilchrist, Ian Johnson and Smith have two each. This is august company indeed and shows the extent of difficulty when it comes to winning a Test in India.
Australia have won two Tests in India over the past decade, and it’s no coincidence both have come with Smith at the helm. So why isn’t he the regular skipper even after having been punished for a past misdemeanour?
Now, the clamour for Smith to be made full-time captain will only increase.
Matthew Hayden has been vocal on air about Smith’s “inspired” and “on-point” leadership.
“There’s a confidence with him at the helm,” he said.
1/10:India’s run in World Test Championship cycle
2/10:No. of Test matches for India in the WTC cycle
<p>India had 18 matches in their WTC cycle out of which 17 games have been played and one match remains against Australia in Ahmedabad.</p>IANS
3/10:8 Tests at home
<p>India had 8 Test matches at home and 10 Test matches away in this cycle. India's matches were - 2 vs New Zealand, 2 vs Sri Lanka, 4 vs Australia (one remaining), 5 vs England, 3 vs South Africa, and 2 vs Bangladesh.</p>Getty Images
4/10:India vs New Zealand
<p>After their defeat in the inaugural WTC final against the Kiwis, Team India began its quest for the trophy in this WTC cycle against the same rival. With new skipper Rohit Sharma at the helm, India started off their WTC cycle by beating New Zealand in a 2 match Test series at home (1-0).</p>ANI
5/10:India vs South Africa
<p>This time India toured South Africa for 3 Test match series and 3 ODIs. India made a strong start by winning the first Test match but then went on to lose the series 1-2 against the Proteas.</p>Getty Images
6/10:India vs Sri Lanka
<p>India played a 2 match Test series against the Lankans at home. India outclassed Sri Lanka in every department of the game and went on to win the series 2-0.</p>
7/10:India vs England
<p>The series was one of the most tense ever in the history of the India-England Test series. Both teams went toe to toe against each other. The series ended in a 2-2 draw. </p>Getty Images
8/10:India vs Bangladesh
<p>The series between the two Asian teams was evenly poised as Bangladesh gave a tough fight to the Indians. Though the series was won by India 2-0, Bangladesh gave a scare in the second Test match as the game ended in dramatic fashion. Chasing 145 to win, India won by just 3 wickets.</p>AFP
9/10:India qualification scenario for WTC final
<p>After Australia defeated India in the third Test in Indore the scenario changed. The Aussies qualified by virtue of this win. India and Sri Lanka are still in contention to take the other spot. </p>ANI
10/10:India qualification scenario for WTC final
<p>If India beat Australia in the last Test match, then they will qualify for the final of WTC. If the match ends in a draw or if India lose, then Team India will have to hope for a Sri Lankan defeat against New Zealand. If Sri Lanka win 2-0, then the Lankans will go through to the final against Australia.</p>APNathan Lyon said on Day Two of the Test how his “old mate” Smith had brought out the best in him.
On Friday, Smith dismissed suggestions he was looking for a fulltime role but did say he enjoyed being captain.
“My time is done. It’s Pat’s team now. I’m glad I’ve been able to stand in this week in the circumstances with Patty going home (to be with his mother, who is in palliative care),” he said.
“India is a part of the world where I love captaining. It’s a game of chess, every ball means something. It’s good fun moving people and trying to get the batter to think, just play games with them. It’s probably my favourite place in the world to captain.
“Back home you’re playing with a third slip or putting a third slip to cover or your square leg up or back. Sort of just stick to the same game plan. But (in) this part of the world you have to be really proactive. Every ball is an event and therefore can dictate what happens after, which is something that I really love and you’ve got to be ahead of the game. So I thought I did it well this week and it was good fun.”
Smith’s “good fun” can herald more good times for Australia. Now, if only forgiveness was a thing.
