Ind vs Aus 2nd T20: Cricket Australia (CA) is thinking to recall Steve Smith as captain after two years for the 2nd T20 against India in Sydney if Aaron Finch is declared unfit, according to Herald Sun report. The Australian skipper had suffered an injury to his hip region at Manuka Oval on Friday at the 1st T20.
“A bit of a hip or a glute (buttock injury), I’m not sure at the moment,” Finch told Fox Cricket. “It got progressively worse throughout the game so I’m sure I’ll have a scan tomorrow and see how we go.” Cricket Australia are awaiting results of his scan before taking a final call on the matter.
Finch joins star opener David Warner (groin) and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (side) on the injured list, with Warner in a race against time to be fit for the opening Test match in Adelaide. With vice-captain Pat Cummins rested ahead of the India Test series, Smith is the only possible choice to replace Finch as the captain, according to multiple Australian reports
Ind vs Aus: Australia’s performance in T20 under Steve Smith’s captaincy
Steve Smith was banned for two years from a leadership role in the Aussie team following the infamous “Sandpaper gate”, which was ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. The former skipper was given the captaincy hat in 2015. He remained the Australian T20 captain for a year in which his he won four and lost as many of games.
Interestingly, before the series started, Australia’s chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns on Smith being given the captain’s role in Test had said that the batsman will be a contender if a need arises. “All I can answer to that one is that discussion hasn’t been had yet. That’s difficult to say, he will obviously be – probably – a contender but whether we go down that path or not depends on when that arises,” Trevor Hohns, Australia’s chairman of selectors, has said.
Taking this into account Smith certainly stands a chance to return to the captain’s role. Furthermore it will also ensue the Steve Smith vs Virat Kohli rivalry.
Ind vs Aus: Smith vs Kohli as captain
Virat Kohli and Smith bring a lot on the table beside their batting prowess. The pair possess very distinctive leadership quality from each other. While, Kohli brings that attacking style to his team, Smith, likes a rather balanced approach to a game.
Moreover, the Indian skipper likes to go with pace no matter the condition which comes from his aggressive approach to a game. Smith, who is no more the Australian captain but is always around to discuss key decisions, likes to adapt to the conditions. This style is evident in their respective batting too.
Ind vs Aus: Smith vs Kohli so far
Unlike Kohli, Smith has had a spectacular run in this series. In the three-match ODI series, the Australian batsman was adjudged as the ‘Man of the Series’, courtesy of his two consecutive centuries in Sydney. Kohli, on the other hand, has been a mixed bag. He has scored two fifties but has not been able to play a captain’s knock so far.
It will be interesting to see what the two rivals do in the 2nd T20 and if they will lock horns as captains of the respective sides. Australia play India at Sydney Cricket Ground at 1:40 pm.