IND vs AUS 2023: We have the tools in our kit bag – Steve Smith on negating Ravichandran Ashwin

Australia’s vice-captain Steve Smith reckons they have the tools to keep Ravichandran Ashwin at bay in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. Ashwin is expected to be a major threat to Australia as he has got all the experience under his belt and he has always been a force to reckon with in the favorable Indian conditions.

Ashwin has a fantastic record in India whereas apart from David Warner and Steve Smith, not many Australian batters have the experience of playing in the tough Indian conditions.

Ashwin has scalped 89 wickets at a decent average of 31.48 in the 18 Tests he has played against Australia. He has snared 50 wickets at an impressive average of 23.16 in the eight Tests he has played against the Aussies in home conditions. Moreover, Ashwin has 312 wickets in 51 Tests at home, averaging 21.16 with 24 fifers.

Smith said in the press conference on Tuesday, “There have been many off-spinners we played and Mahesh is one of them. He bowls a similar style to that of Ashwin. We are not overthinking things. Ash is a quality bowler but we have the tools in our kit bag to counter that.”

Meanwhile, there has been a lot of talk regarding the pitch in Nagpur. Smith expects that there wouldn’t be much bounce in the surface and feels the track will assist the spinners, especially against the left-handers.

“Pretty dry, particularly one end. I think it will take a bit of spin, particularly the left-arm spinner taking it into our left-handers. There’s a section there that’s quite dry. Other than that, I can’t really get a good gauge on it. I don’t think there will be a heap of bounce in the wicket, I think it will be quite skiddy for the seamers and maybe a bit of up-and-down movement as the game goes on.”

There is no iota of doubt that Australia will have to play at their best to win in India. Australia had last won in the Indian conditions back in 2004 and since then India has dominated while playing at home. In fact, India also won the last two Test series in Australia.

The first Test match will be played in Nagpur from Thursday onwards.