India vs Australia | Border-Gavaskar Trophy: The much-awaited four-match Test series between India and Australia is set to begin from February 9, Nagpur. Ahead of IND vs AUS 1st Test, team India's former pacer Irfan Pathan has said that spin all-rounder Axar Patel can prove to be a major threat for Australia's lychping batter Steven Smith in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Notably, Smith is the only Australian batter in the current squad who averages 60-plus in Indian conditions.
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"The challenge of Steve Smith will be there for Indian cricket but I think one guy, which I have a great feeling, who can actually have the numbers against him is Axar Patel. If he plays regularly all the matches, the kind of trajectory he has, he can be a big threat to him," Pathan said on Star Sports.
"The line and length he bowls, the straight ball he bowls, he can bring the lbw or bowled into play against Steve Smith, especially because he uses his bottom hand a lot. A bowler who continuously bowls at the stumps can prove to be an alarm bell against such a player that is Axar Patel."
Calling Smith an Australian legend, Pathan asserted that India will need a proper plan to keep the senior batter in check.
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"No doubt about that. He is definitely an Australian legend. If you look at the Australian history as well, he is up there. He has troubled the Indian bowlers a lot, scored tons of runs. Even though you know that he has got a really solid bottom hand, but still he finds ways to score runs in front of the wickets, on the off and leg side. We need to have a proper plan," said Pathan.