Steve Smith has established himself as one of the leading batsmen in Test cricket, particularly noted for his performances against India. His record against Indian bowlers is impressive and reflects his ability to adapt and thrive under pressure.
Overall Record against India
. Matches Played – 18
. Innings – 35
. Runs Scored – 1,887
. Batting Average – 65.06
. Strike-rate – 52.79
. Half-centuries and centuries – 5/8
. Highest Score – 192
Smith’s average of 67.63 against India highlights his dominance, and his ability to perform both at home and in Indian conditions makes him a key player in any series.
| Bowlers | Runs | Out | Average |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 52 | 1 | 52.0 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 82 | 1 | 82.0 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 434 | 8 | 54.2 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 270 | 8 | 33.8 |
Key Indian Bowlers Faced
- Jasprit Bumrah – Smith has been dismissed by Bumrah only once in Test cricket.
. Total Runs – 52 runs from 114 balls faced.
. Average against Bumrah – 52.0, indicating that while Bumrah has had some success, Smith has generally managed to score well against him.
- Ravichandran Ashwin – Smith has a strong record against the Ravichandran Ashwin, although ashwin have managed to trouble him occasionally with sharp turn and bounce. Ashwin’s bowling style presents a unique challenge for Smith, who has faced him numerous times. However, specific statistics detailing Smith’s performance against Ashwin are less frequently highlighted compared to Bumrah.
- Other Notable Bowlers – Smith has also faced other Indian bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma, both of whom have had varying degrees of success against him.
Recent Context
As the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, Smith is not only aiming to maintain his high average but also to reach significant milestones:
. He needs 315 runs to become the fourth Australian player to score 10,000 Test runs.
. He is close to breaking records for the most runs scored by an Australian against India, currently held by Ricky Ponting with 2,555.
Also Read: Border-Gavaskar Trophy Winners (since 1996-97)
Conclusion
Steve Smith’s record against Indian bowlers in Test matches showcases his prowess and adaptability. His ability to score heavily, combined with his strategic approach to facing top bowlers like Bumrah and Ashwin, positions him as a crucial player for Australia in the upcoming series. The ongoing rivalry will likely intensify as both teams compete for supremacy in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
