Steve Smith Asked about Opening against India: Australia's BGT Hope Falls into Trap Set by Former Indian Keeper

Australia's hopes of reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from India rest heavily on the shoulders of Steve Smith. However, Deep Dasgupta believes Rohit Sharma and the Indian team wouldn't mind if Smith continues to open the innings for Australia. Smith, known for his success in the middle order, was shifted to the opening position after David Warner's retirement. Despite facing the new ball against West Indies and New Zealand, Smith's performance as an opener has been below expectations. In eight innings, he has only scored 171 runs, with a top score of 91 not out in Brisbane. In comparison, Smith has excelled in the middle order, accumulating nearly 6000 runs from the No.4 position.

Dasgupta is confident that the Indian bowlers won't mind seeing Smith in the five-Test series. Recalling a chat he had with the former Australia captain not too long ago, Dasgupta revealed Smith's batting plans for the BGT, one that Rohit and his bowlers would absolutely relish. The last time the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was with Australia, Smith played a big role, pummelling 769 runs from four Tests, and if India can get rid of Smith early, which if he continues to remain adamant, it promises to give the visiting team an edge.

"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. Anyone who has played any level of cricket will tell you that middle order in Test cricket and opening are two very different jobs. When you're coming in to bat with 20 overs bowled and with a new ball, they're very different," Dasgupta said on talkSPORT Cricket.

"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."

Smith has enjoyed batting against India. Following his record series in 2014-15, Smith was once again hit form in 2017 with 499 runs. The 12-month ban for his involvement in the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal prevented Smith from participating in the 2018-19 series which India won 2-1. Two years later, Smith was back but had a relatively quiet series of 313 runs. That number shrunk even further last year – 145 from 4 Tests – when Australia came to India last year. With Australia keen to end their 10-year-long rut against India, Smith holds key. For all you know, the decision to make him open could well be a stop-gap arrangement after all, but Dasgupta still fails to find the logic behind the move.

"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," the former wicketkeeper batter added.