Winning a Test series in India is bigger than the Ashes: Steve Smith

Ahead of the highly-anticipated Test series against team India, Australia star batter Steve Smith has stated that winning a series on Indian soil would be "bigger" than the Ashes. The two fierce rivals lock horns for a four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy scheduled to kickstart on Thursday, February 9. 

Cricket’s oldest rivalry played, between the two arch-rivals Australia and England, known as ‘the Ashes’, is one of the most highly anticipated rivalries in the sport. However, Smith addressed the challenge of playing in India and emerging victorious is quite tricky as compared with the Ashes. 

“It's a difficult place to win a Test match, let alone a series. If we are able to topple that mountain, that would be huge. I think, if we can win in India, that would be bigger than an Ashes series,” Smith told in cricket.com.au. 

Smith is currently riding high on confidence after a phenomenal season for the Sydney Sixers in the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL). He aggregated 346 runs at an average of 86.50 in mere five outings, including one half-century and two centuries. 

Looking forward to applying myself against the best spinners: David Warner

Like Smith, flamboyant southpaw David Warner is also in fine touch as he recently made headlines by notching up a sensational double-century (200 runs) in Australia’s comprehensive Test win to South Africa in December. That said, the clash against India will be a stern test considering that the side has failed to register a series win on Indian soil since the 2004-05.

Australia will look to overcome the challenge keeping in mind the spin-friendly tracks of India. In the same interaction, Warner said that he is excited for the tour and would like to apply himself against the best spinners. "I'm looking forward to the tour, it's always a hard graft. One thing that I'm looking forward to is applying myself against the best spinners in the world," said Warner.