Steve Smith Reveals His Favourite Indian Players

Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar were two of the handful of players who made life difficult for the all-conquering Australian team of 2000s and perhaps that is the reason that they are current Australia skipper Steve Smith‘s favourite Indian players.

Asked to name two of his favourite Indian cricketers during an interaction of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Smith, replied: “Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh.”

Both the players enjoyed huge success against the team from Down Under.  Tendulkar, who is the highest run-scorer in Tests and ODIs, played 39 Tests against Australia and scored 3630 runs at an average of 55.00 with the help of 11 centuries and 16 half-centuries. His record in ODIs is equally impressive where he scored 3077 runs in 71 matches including nine centuries against Australia. On the other hand, Harbhajan picked up a staggering 95 wickets in 18 Tests against Australia.

Smith also lauded the India-Australia rivalry before expressing his desire of winning a Test series in India.

“It is a massive rivalry and has been for so long. As a captain you would love to win a Test series here in India.It is one of the toughest places to come and play. The wicket is so different and there is always great cricket. This one-day and T20 series is no different,” he said.

When asked whether he is apprehensive of the future of the game, he said: “Some of the other teams are getting a lot better. Bangladesh beat us in the first Test, there is Afghanistan now and they are also producing very good players. You have seen how Rashid Khan has done magnificently in IPL. Cricket is in a pretty good space and continues to grow.

“I love playing every format but Test cricket is ultimate… The real challenge is to bat long… I love every format of the game,” he added.