Steve Smith in awe of this cricketer’s straight drive and on-drive

Steve Smith will have to deal with the yorkers soon when he faces the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and others in the upcoming series against India at home. One of the best batsmen in the world, the right-handed batsman is rarely troubled by pacers.

However, after returning to Australia, Smith believes he has found that touch again.

Asked if he has been able to get a hang of Indian bowlers during the IPL, the Aussie batsman praised the bowlers and said, "It doesn't hurt (having played them in IPL)".

"I was pretty disappointed with my batting throughout the IPL". I probably went away from it in the IPL", Smith told reporters."I know that is the best way I play. I never really got into a good rhythm, but I think the last few days actually I've found something. (I am) just backing up Tim (Paine) and (Aaron) Finchy as they have done a good job during the last two years. I have found my hands which I am extremely excited about.

"It's taken me about three-and-a-half or four months to do it".

"It's getting that feel, the look of the bat, getting the toe the right way, the way my hands come up on the bat", he mentioned. The past few days I have found something. Smith chose to reply with a straight bat.

On the other hand, Australia returned to action in September with a tour of England where they played three ODIs and as many T20Is. This was the highest score by an Indian cricketer on a Test debut in Australia. "It's not the same as what Neil does, the way he bowls it. It will be a bit more competitive series and I am sure India is ready for it", he said.

Both Smith and Warner were serving an year-long ban at that time for their involvement in the infamous ball-tampering scandal. "I wasn't consistent enough", Smith said.

"That was hard to watch knowing I felt I could have an impact if I was playing".

"I got caught up a little bit with trying to be too powerful, that's not quite my game", he mentioned.

"But I guess the beauty with the Indian team is there are so many batters coming through, that are of high quality".

"[I'm] certainly looking forward to this series, two of the top teams in the world going at it".

"Whereas back then I think we were finding our way through a really challenging or different type of set up".

And if there was any doubt that Smith isn't doing everything he can to be ready for the series against India, his teammates can put that to bed. "You can bat for as long as you like and build partnerships".

The batsman who has been shadow batting in the hotel room and sweating it out in nets in isolation before his quarantine ends on November 26, has suddenly found his rhythm in the last two days.