'Don't see him making a big impact in T20s': Ex-cricketer makes huge claim on Steve Smith

After winning the World Cup with Australia, Steve Smith stayed back in India to participate in the 5-match T20 series. Smith had a subdued ODI World Cup campaign where he struggled to get runs throughout the tournament. Considering how he did not even review his LBW dismissal in the final of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, many experts have doubted whether his condition is in the right place or not.

3 things you need to know

• India beat Australia by 2 wickets in the 1st T20 of the 5-match series
• Suryakumar Yadav was adjudged the man of the match for his blinder
• For Australia, Josh Inglis scored a century

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Aakash Chopra not convinced with Steve Smith's performance

Even after an exhaustive ODI World Cup 2023, where he featured in every game of Australia, Steve Smith hasn't opted for any rest, rather resorted to opening for Australia in the 1st of the 5-match T20 series.  

Not known for his big-hitting prowess, Smith played in his usual T20 gear, and while he was able to contribute 52 runs for the team, he could not impress the experts. Smith is receiving criticism for taking as many as 41 balls to score the half-century knock.  

Aakash Chopra, who has become a prominent name in the field of cricket analysts, has weighed in on Steve Smith's innings against India in the T20 encounter. Chopra isn't convinced with the way Smith bats, however, has highlighted his status to reiterate that such players find a way to acclimatize with the changing demand of the game.

"I am slightly 50-50 in my mind about Steve Smith - good or bad. He continued playing at a run-a-ball for a long time. He started very well but then he was a run-a-ball. Is he a long-term T20 player for Australia - I am not going to decide on that. It doesn't make a difference to me."

"He is too good a player and such players find a way. They have new ways of upgrading their game. However, based on what we saw in the first match in Vizag, one thing is clear that he needs pace. He is a great player but I don't see him making a big impact in T20s."

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Team India's new crop starts with a win

While the wounds of the World Cup final loss might be still fresh, the next mission is already underway. The ICC T20 World Cup of 2024 is the next big assignment for Team India and seeds are set to be sown for the mega competition in the bilateral T20 series against Australia.  

On Thursday, November 23, 2023, the series commenced at Visakhapatnam. Batting first, Aussies put on a huge total on the board, courtesy of Josh Inglis' scintillating 110 runs knock. Chasing 209, India lost their openers- Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal-early, however, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav fired on all cylinders to put Australia under significant pressure. The match became of bearer of several ups-and-downs and in the end, Rinku Singh's crucial knock of 22 runs got India home.