As the one-day leg of the tour of India kicks off with the first ODI at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Friday, March 17, Steve Smith will continue to lead Australia, showcasing impressive leadership skills despite the impact of the Sandpapergate episode on his reputation. Under his captaincy, the team has transformed, demonstrating that they are anything but pushovers. In fact, Australia secured a victory in the third Test in Indore and fought to a draw in the fourth Test in Ahmedabad. This newfound resilience can be attributed to Smith’s proactive approach as captain. Unfortunately, the team will be without Pat Cummins, who has returned to Australia following the loss of his mother during the fourth Test in Ahmedabad. As Australia enters the ODI series, fans can expect an interesting and engaging display of cricket, with Smith at the helm.
The 2017 Nagpur ODI between India and Australia holds a special significance as it marked the last time Steve Smith captained the Australian side on Indian soil. Back then, India was a formidable force in ODIs, making it an immensely challenging task for any team to defeat them on their home ground. Australia itself boasted a robust team at that time but still couldn’t manage to emerge victorious, ultimately losing the series 4-1. The match in Nagpur began on an optimistic note for Australia, with openers David Warner and Aaron Finch providing a solid 66-run start. However, the tide turned when Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya dismissed Finch, ensnaring the Australian side in a cycle of steady wicket loss. Spinners Axar Patel and Kedar Jadhav bolstered the Indian team, making it difficult for Australia to accelerate. Although Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis contributed with significant scores, the team managed to put up a mere total of 242/9 after their allotted 50 overs, leaving them in dire need of early wickets in the second innings.
The excitement was palpable as the duo added a staggering 124 runs for the first wicket, effectively breaking the back of the target and setting the stage for a thrilling match. Rahane’s impressive contribution of 61 runs may have ended with his dismissal, but Rohit remained undeterred as he secured yet another ODI hundred, amassing a remarkable 125 runs off a mere 109 balls. Virat Kohli’s respectable cameo of 39 runs further elevated the performance, paving the way for Jadhav and Manish Pandey to bring the match to an exhilarating close and ultimately helping India clinch the series 4-1. As the upcoming ODI series draws near, Australia will surely recall their recent successes in exerting pressure on the host team during the final two Tests, sparking a determination to triumph in Mumbai and seize an early 1-0 lead in the series in a bid to replicate their previous 10-wicket victory. Steve Smith, a player who thrives under competition, will undoubtedly rally his team to push the limits on Friday and make their mark on this highly anticipated series.
