Steve Smith finds Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja annoying: Here's why
What's the story
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy just around the corner, Australia's veteran batter Steve Smith has opened on Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's attributes.
In a recent chat with Star Sports, Smith confessed that Jadeja's incredible skills and fighting spirit can be "annoying" at times.
This insight is part of a series of discussions where Australian cricketers are sharing their thoughts about their Indian rivals ahead of the much-anticipated series kicking off on November 22.
Player assessment
Smith praises Jadeja's all-round skills
Smith praised Jadeja's all-round abilities, stating, "I get annoyed by Jadeja on the field, just because he is a very good player."
He further added that Jadeja always contributes significantly to the game, whether it is scoring runs or taking wickets.
This sentiment was echoed by Australia's fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who also named Jadeja as a standout player from Team India.
Performance review
Jadeja's impressive track record against Australia
Jadeja has a solid track record against Australia. He has racked up 570 runs from 23 Test innings, averaging 28.50, with five half-centuries and a best of 81.
And when it comes to playing Down Under, his average shoots up to 43.75, thanks to two half-centuries in just five innings.
Moreover, he has taken 89 wickets in Tests against the Aussies, making him a tough nut to crack for the Australian team.
Information
Jadeja has dismissed Smith eight times
As per ESPNcricinfo, Jadeja has dismissed Smith as many as eight times in 20 Test innings. The Australian batter has scored 270 runs off 735 balls in this battle. Meanwhile, Jadeja has bowled 573 dot balls to Smith.
Team insights
Labuschagne and Head share their amusing Indian picks
Meanwhile, Aussie cricketer Marnus Labuschagne decided to keep his pick for the funniest Indian player a secret. But he did say that he finds wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant pretty entertaining.
Travis Head, on the other hand, picked Virat Kohli for his consistent performance and high energy levels on the field.
These insights show the friendly rivalry and mutual respect between the two teams as they gear up for the upcoming series.