Star Australian batter Steve Smith has shared that he is ready for the three-game ODI series against India, starting on September 22 in Mohali as well. While he has admitted feeling cooked due to the overhead conditions, the veteran has also said that he is good to go for Friday’s match as well.

Ahead of the first game on Friday, Smith said facing Pat Cummins in the nets and also played spin, given how big a role it plays in the sub-continent as well. As quoted by cricket.com.au, he said: “I’m pretty cooked to be honest, it’s very hot out here. I got a good sweat on but it was nice to spend some time in the nets. I faced Patty (Cummins) for a bit, felt good against him, faced quite a bit of spin and lots on the ‘wanger’, so it’s a good start. I did lots of running, I was still able to do that when I had the brace on. I got the brace off, not much changed, had a little injection and feel a million bucks now.”

With the Australian team suffering three consecutive defeats by over 100 runs recently in South Africa, Steve Smith’s presence in the middle-order will be important. While speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald last week, Smith predicted a lot of low-scoring games as the World Cup is around the corner due to the wear and tear in the wickets.

“When you look at World Cups as opposed to the standard bilateral series, I reckon the scores naturally come down a little bit anyway, with the extra pressure of big games and things like that. Then you throw in the mix that wickets are going to be wearing and turning. You want to be hitting your straps in the big tournaments; that’s what everyone wants to win,” Steve Smith concluded.