“He said, 'yeah, I am thinking about it'” – Former India cricketer on Steve Smith’s chances of opening in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta recently opened up about his conversations with erstwhile Australian captain Steve Smith about his batting position in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Dasgupta claimed that Smith is thinking about opening in the five-match Test series, which he believes is a blessing in disguise since the right-handed batter has a tremendous record at No. 4 in Tests.

Smith is playing as an opener for Australia following David Warner’s retirement earlier this year. He has managed just 171 runs in eight innings with the best score of an unbeaten 91 against the West Indies. The 35-year-old is quite dangerous at No. 4, scoring most of his Test runs at that position. He amassed 5966 runs in 111 innings at an average of 61.51, including 19 tons and 26 half-centuries.

Smith opens in Big Bash League (BBL) and Major League Cricket (MLC) but Dasgupta pointed out that Test cricket is a completely different ball game. The cricketer-turned-commentator told Talksport (via Hindustan Times):

"I bumped into him recently and I asked him 'You opening? What's that about? And I did ask him 'Are you going to open against India as well?' And he said, 'yeah, I am thinking about it'. I said 'yeah, you should, why not?' Because it's quite baffling."

"If you're an Indian, you'd be happy to see Steve Smith opening. You don't want to see Steve Smith batting at 4 or down the order because it's baffling. Almost the peak of his career he's done so well over so many years batting at that number. Starting to open? It's a different ball game you know," he continued.

Dasgupta added:

“Anyone who has played any level of cricket will tell you that middle order in Test cricket and opening are two very different jobs. When you're coming in to bat with 20 overs bowled and with a new ball, they're very different”

“I found it very surprising” – Deep Dasgupta on Steve Smith’s batting position

Deep Dasgupta said he is surprised with Australia playing Steve Smith as an opener despite his shrinking numbers in Test cricket. The 47-year-old explained in the same interaction:

"I can understand that he's not scoring runs and you're trying to still find a place for him. That's the only spot available. Stuff like 'We can only fit you in there so why don't you try that position'. But that wasn't the case, was it? I don't know. I found it very surprising. I've heard other teams doing it but not Australia. There is a plan behind everything they have done the years.”

Steve Smith scored 145 runs in seven innings at an average of 29 during the 2022-23 Border Gavaskar Trophy. Since 2023, he has scored 1142 runs in 34 innings at an average of 39.37.