I let my emotions slip a little bit, so I apologise for that: Steve Smith

Australian captain Steve Smith was in prime form right through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he ended the four-match series just one run short of the 500 mark. He scored three centuries and in the toughest of conditions. Smith led them from the front with the bat and that ensured Australia bounced back whenever the Indians put them under pressure with the ball.

But in the end it wasn’t just enough; his efforts couldn’t lead the team to a series win in India but they will definitely take a lot of positives. When they landed rather even before nobody gave them a chance but in the very first Test on a rank turner at Pune, the team showed the result of the hard work they had put in with a superb win and took lead in the series.

In the post-match presentation, Smith said: “It was a magnificent series, probably one of the best I have been part of so far. I thought we played some very good cricket throughout the series. We probably had our opportunities at times. Credit to India, they are a fantastic cricket side, particularly in their own backyard here. If you give them a sniff, they will take it, so credit to India for winning the series 2-1.

He was proud of the way his team responded to the challenge in such tough conditions.

“It was a fantastic learning curve for us. India is one of the toughest places to tour for us Australians. The way we adapted and challenged India in these conditions was fantastic. Guys came out with really good plans and I am really proud of the boys the way they competed throughout the series.”

A lot of people really wrote us off before we came here. They thought it was going to be a 4-0 whitewash, but I must say I am really proud of the way the guys have adapted and been able to compete against a quality line-up. We have probably let a few moments slip, you can’t do that against a quality outfit like India. We have learnt a lot out of this series and hopefully that will help us improve going forward as well.”

Smith admitted that they lost the momentum in the second session of day 2 after a very good opening spell from Umesh Yadav.

“That middle session where we lost for five for 70 odd made the difference. I thought India bowled particularly well yesterday afternoon. Umesh Yadav was fantastic throughout the series along with the spinners as well.”

Dharamsala was a different challenge, the pitch had a lot more pace and bounce, it was more like an Australian wicket which had some juice for the faster bowlers. “It (Dharamsala) is one of the most picturesque grounds with this amazing mountain in the background. It was a very good wicket here. It had pace and bounce, that’s what we Australians like. Probably the quickest wicket we have played on (in this series) and it suited the spinners as well.”

“If you were willing to bide time, you could score runs as well. I have been pretty intense throughout the series. I really wanted to do well for my team and lead from the front with my performance.”

There were a few heated moments in the series and the Aussie skipper admitted that he might have let emotions have the better of him and apologised for that. “At times I was probably in my own little bubble and let my emotions slip a little bit, so I apologise for that. I really enjoyed playing this series. It’s been a great learning curve for me an individual and as a captain of this team as well.” Smith said.