Kolkata: Australian captain Steve Smith may perhaps drag himself into another controversy as he did not pick Virat Kohli in his Dream Team. Smith in a function in a city hotel picked Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh ahead of Virat in his Dream Team on Wednesday.
Harbhajan, who have been a thorn in the flesh for the Aussies in the past, was rated highly by the Australian captain.
Asked to name two of his favourite Indian cricketers during an interaction of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Smith after a long thought said: “Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh.”
Ten years since Harbhajan’s monkeygate episode with Andrew Symonds, it is still regarded as one of the bitter controversies between the two countries who recently fought over a DRS calling by the Aussie skipper that put him at loggerheads with Kohli.
Smith however said there’s no personal battle with Kohli and credited him for creating a fit group.
“This group is quite fit and they take pride in their fitness. You can certainly see the difference in the energy levels and the way they go about their business,” Smith said.
Talking about the India-Australia rivalry, Smith said one of his aims is to win a Test series in India.
“It is a massive rivalry and has been for so long. As a captain you would love to win a Test series here in India.It’s one of the toughest places to come and play. The wicket is so different and there’s always great cricket. This oneday and T20 series is no different,” he said.
Asked to comment which format of cricket he prefer, Smith said, “I love playing every format but Test cricket is ultimate… The real challenge is to bat long… I love every format to the game.”
Smith will be playing his 100th ODI at Eden Gardens tomorrow and Aussie skipper said: “I will happily take a duck tomorrow if we win the game.”