Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey reckons that Steve Smith’s failure against India has come as a “huge blow” for the hosts, adding that the visitors have come all prepared for the batsman. So far in the series, India has managed to keep Snith quiet. The reason for this, according to Hussey, the Indian team executed their plans is the “fantastic” plans that the Indian team has put in place for the batter. 

During a chat with ESPNCricinfo, Hussey explained, “Steve Smith has not been able to get going in this series at all and it is a huge blow for Australia and their chances in this series. India has come to Australia with fantastic plans for Smith. India are attacking the stumps, bowling straight, setting the leg-side field to cut off scoring options and it is really working.”

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He further explained, “Last summer, the New Zealand team got Smith out a few times with the short ball. I have noticed, Bumrah in particular, he has been bowling short and pushing Steve Smith back and then attacking the stumps, looking for LBW or bowling him out. So, big form worries for Steve Smith. He is a great player and we would expect him to work his way out of it.”

India managed to win the second Test by eights wicket in Melbourne. They had missed the services of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammad Shami, combined with the humiliation of getting bundled out for 36 at the Adelaide Oval, it was a brilliant turnaround by the visitors to level the series. The win not only brought India right back in the series but they are now close to reaching the final of the World Test Championship.

While Australia’s whole batting line-up has struggled to score big runs against India, one major concern for the hosts apart from Smith is Marnus Labuschagne’s form. Hussey reckons India has been successful in using Labuschagne’s vulnerabilities to their advantage.

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Explaining the same, Michael Hussey said, “Marnus Labuschagne came with so much expectation into the series that he was going to have another prolific season, but unfortunately, it has not really worked out that way just yet. Indians have got a really good plan for him and they know he is a little bit vulnerable for LBWs. So, they are bowling very straight to him and setting the leg-side field to cut off the run-scoring options and they are attacking the stumps all the time.”