Share

Smith warns players India will 'come back hard'

Pune - Australia skipper Steve Smith has warned his players against complacency and expects India to come back hard after the hosts' crushing first Test defeat in Pune.

The tourists on Saturday demolished India by 333 runs inside three days to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series with left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe the unlikely hero.

O'Keefe claimed a match haul of 12 wickets to help skittle out India for 105 and 107.

Set a world-record fourth innings target of 441, the world's number one Test side folded in just over a session to enable Australia register their first win in India since 2004.

Second-ranked Australia also ended India's unbeaten streak of 19 Tests stretching back to August 2015, but Smith still believes the tourists have a long way to go to secure the four-match series.

"It's certainly going to be a difficult next three Test matches. India are a quality side in their own backyard and they are going to come back hard at us," said Smith.

"For us it's continuing to worry about the processes and if we do that for long periods hopefully we can have more success on this tour."

Smith expressed satisfaction with his team's ability to learn from past mistakes after coming into the series on the back of nine Test losses in Asia.

"We probably kept the foot on the throat (in Pune). When we got ourselves in the positions to win in Sri Lanka, we let the opposition get back into the game," said Smith, whose side were whitewashed by Sri Lanka 3-0 last year.

"In this Test, we didn't let India back in the game after the first innings. So that it's pleasing we're learning and trying to improve in different ways," he said.

Australian batsmen also stood up to India's spin threat on a viciously turning track.

Matt Renshaw's 68 and Michell Starc's 61 showed grit in the first innings of 260 and Smith led by example with 109, his first century in India, to guide the second innings to 285.

"We know as batters the longer you are out in the middle, things get easier.

"The plans the guys had in this Test match were really good and I hope we keep them going," said Smith.

India skipper Virat Kohli also vowed to bounce back as the teams head to Bangalore for the second Test starting March 4.

"We just want to take the learnings forward, improve and come back stronger in the next game," said Kohli after the bruising loss.

"I can assure you that we are going to come back with more intent for sure and put Australia under pressure straight from ball one," he said.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2246 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE