Steven Smith attains this feat in India (Tests): Key stats
Steven Smith has become the first visiting captain to beat India twice in home Tests in the last 10 years. The stand-in captain led Australia to a nine-wicket win over India at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Smith led the Aussies in the absence of Pat Cummins, who had returned home to attend to a family health issue. Here are the key stats.
Smith matches Alastair Cook
Australia's victory in Indore has sent captain Smith into elite company. He is only the second away team captain to win two Tests in India since 2010 after former England captain, Alastair Cook. Smith's two wins have come in Pune back in 2017 and Indore in 2023, while England, under Cook, defeated India in back-to-back matches in the 2012/13 series.
Australia win Indore Test by nine wickets
Australia had a point to prove in Indore, and they proved their mettle by getting India out cheaply for only 109 in the first innings. In reply, they made 197, courtesy of Khawaja's (60) brilliant innings. In the second innings, India could only manage 163 mainly due to Lyon's heroics (8/64). With only 76 runs needed, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne steered Australia home.
More wins in India than several great Australian captains
The leadership prowess of Smith stands out. His bowling changes and field set-ups were lauded by fans and experts as he never allowed India to gain the upper hand in the game. With this win in Indore, Smith has more wins in India as Australia's captain than some of the former captains - Mark Taylor, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Allan Border, and Michael Clarke.
Smith shines when handed more responsibility
The former Australian skipper relishes captaincy like no other player. Smith has scored 3,819 runs for Australia at an average of 67 as captain, which also includes 15 centuries and 14 half-centuries. He boasts an average of 55.3 (4,925 runs) when not captaining the Kangaroos. He has 15 hundreds and 23 fifties even without the added responsibility.
Sixth-most successful Australian captain (Tests)
Smith, after this brilliant win in Indore, has registered 21 wins as Australian captain in whites. His tally makes him the sixth-most successful Aussie skipper in this format (tied with Greg Chappell). Only the likes of Ponting(48), Waugh(41), Border(32), Taylor(26), Clarke(24) are ahead of Smith. His stats as captain: 37 matches, 21 wins, 10 losses, and six draws.
