IND vs AUS: Ravichandran Ashwin all respect for Steve Smith, says ‘Smith and captaincy is match made in Heaven’, CHECK out

Steve smith and captaincy is a match made in heaven👌#INDvAUS

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 22, 2023

IND vs AUS Highlights: Adam Zampa spins web as India crumble at Chepauk, Steve Smith & Co beat India by 21 runs to win series 2-1, become World No.1 – Watch Highlights

Australia seemed to have changed their entire approach when Smith took over as the skipper in Cummins’ absence from the third Test in Indore. The 33-year-old’s leadership skills were hailed as impressive after the Ausssie’s made an dramatic comeback in the 3rd Test after going down 0-2 in the Border-Gavaskar series. Smith managed to lead his side to draw the fourth Test in Ahmedabad.

Smith did something similar in the ODI series as well. After losing the first ODI, the Aussies hit back in the second and leveled the series 1-1. Smith’s proactive and tactically sound approach in his bowling changes and field placings were impressing.

The Indian batting unit faltered under relentless pressure from the Australian spinners as the visitors won the three-match ODI series 2-1. Chasing a target of 270 on a tricky Chennai pitch, India were all out for 248 in 49.1 overs as Australia came back to win in the series.

The series defeat is an indicator that the Indian team is far from prepared for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 and far too many loose ends are needed to be tied.

Australia were the last international team to beat India in a bilateral ODI series when they beat India back in 2019. The score-line for the 5-match series was 3-2 in Australia’s favor. Since that series defeat, India had managed to win seven back-to-back bilateral ODI series at home, that streak has now been ended.