Smith admits Australia are ‘underdogs’

PUNE, India: Australia’s cricket  captain Steve Smith has admitted  his inexperienced side will  be the underdogs when they  face the world’s top-ranked side  India on their home turf but  bristled at suggestions of a possible  4-0 whitewash.  India are unbeaten in 19  Tests over a 18-month period  with South Africa, New  Zealand, England and  Bangladesh all vanquished at  home, while trips to Sri Lanka  and West Indies also culminated  in victories.  By contrast, Smith’s side —  ranked No 2 — were thrashed  3-0 in Sri Lanka and lost the  first two Tests of a three-match  home series against South  Africa before big changes led to  a consolation win in Adelaide  and the new team went on to  sweep aside Pakistan.  Not many critics have given  the touring side a chance while  former India spinner Harbhajan  Singh has predicted a 4-0 sweep  for the hosts.  “Everyone is entitled to their  opinion, however I don’t believe  that’s the case,” Smith said  on Wednesday, when asked to  react to Harbhajan’s comments.  “I’m confident in the squad  we’ve got here to compete  against India.  “No doubt it’s going to be a  difficult series. India have  played some very good cricket  of late, particularly at home.  So we’re under no illusions  there, it’s going to be tough.  But we’ve got the squad here  that can compete in these conditions.”  The team have trained in  Dubai to prepare and also  played a three-day practice  match against an India A side  last week.  “I guess we are the underdogs  in this series. You hear  comments like Harbhajan who  expect us to lose 4-0. That’s not  how we feel,” the 27-year-old  Smith told reporters before the  opening Test — starting from  Thursday (today).  The last time Australia  toured India, they were blanked  4-0 in as many matches and  have lost their last nine Tests in  Asia.  Smith said his team were  motivated to make that record  better.  “We want to change the way  we play away from home,” he  said. “For me it’s starting things  fresh.” —Reuters