CHENNAI: Even if the absences of Rohit Sharma (first two Tests at least) and Virat Kohli (last three) could be felt by the visitors, Steve Smith is of the opinion that Ishant Sharma's loss is going to be 'big'. During a zoom press conference early on Thursday, Smith was asked if the current Indian attack was the best ever. "It's a good attack, obviously," he responded.
"They are experienced, particularly (Mohammed) Shami and (Jasprit) Bumrah. Ishant is probably a big loss for them at the start... he's played a lot of cricket. Without him, it may not be their strongest because I am sure they would like him to play, no doubt." The hosts' No 4 has a point. Sharma returned with cumulative figures of 11/262, with an average of 23.81 the last time the two sides faced each other in Australia.
One batsman who wasn't around to face Bumrah, Shami et. al. during that series was, of course, Smith. Banned for a year by Cricket Australia after the sandpaper fiasco, Australia's No 4 opined it 'was difficult sitting on the sidelines'. "I watched in bits and pieces," he said. "... not being able to go out there and make a difference, that was the toughest thing for me knowing I probably could make a difference, if I was out there. That was hard, but it's an exciting series coming up."
If Kohli & Co. are to have any designs of retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy, the key, to state the bleeding obvious, is to prevent their No 4 from amassing runs. Because, his record against India, is ridiculous. Out of the 10 Tests he has played against them, he has scored centuries in seven and has crossed 50 at least once in eight games. Against India in Australia, he has scored centuries in all four Tests he has played in.
But he isn't not going to put pressure on himself. "I wouldn't put any more pressure on myself. I go out there and do my job and that is to try and score as many runs as I can no matter who is playing or what the circumstances are."
However, the injury to David Warner could result in a change of batting position for the 31-year-old. How does he view that challenge? "I think our depth is obviously going to be tested with Davey (Warner) out and a few potentially new players coming in. It will test us out no doubt against a good Indian outfit.
"That (batting position) doesn't bother me too much. I have batted a fair bit at No 3. Any lower than No 4, I would not be overly happy. Anywhere up there, I am fine. When you bat at No 3, you are sometimes in, second ball of the game, that's the reality of batting there so, someone at No 3 could certainly go up the top." One potential solution could be to promote Marnus Labuschagne, with Smith coming at No 3 and a debut for Cameron Green in the middle order.
That debate could have a final answer after the tour game beginning on Friday with the pink ball. "I guess we will wait and see what happens with the next A game and what the selectors want to do," he said. That tour game will also give the Indian think tank an opportunity to firm up their top-order, apart from the identities of the spinner and the third seamer.
Smith, on facing Bumrah for the first time in long format cricket, said, "We know how he bowls... he's got that action, very different to a lot of people so you have got to be watchful. You like to be coming up against the best and he is certainly up there with them."