Steve Smith. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

The three-match ODI series between India and Australia ended in disappointment for the hosts. Australia clinched the series after winning the last two games and defeating India at home.

After both teams won a game each, the series decider ended up being a thriller. Australia posted 269 runs on the board in the first innings and looked for a successful defense. However, star batter Virat Kohli quickly disrupted the visitors’ plans. The 34-year-old scored 54 runs in the run chase but was dismissed thanks to the brilliant field placement by skipper Steve Smith.

Speaking about the same, veteran Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin heaped praise on Smith’s tactics in dismissing Kohli, who looked set on the crease.

“Another talking point has to do with Virat Kohli’s wonderful 50. Let me highlight Steve Smith’s captaincy here. Both Virat and Hardik tried to hit over extra cover, but the ball fell just short of the long-off fielder. At that time, I noticed Steve Smith was constantly telling Ashton Agar from the first slip, ‘keep bowling it outside’. He was repeating this,” Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“Because when they see the line, they will try to go over extra cover, and if the ball holds its line and goes straight, it will go straight to long-off. He also made David Warner come in a bit from long-off and set up the entire dismissal,” he added.

I have all the beliefs. Let’s back him: Ashwin

After heaping praise on Smith’s tactics, Ashwin also talked about Kohli’s return to form. He opined that his performances are definitely going to be essential for India at the upcoming ODI World Cup.

“Usually, when Virat Kohli scores a fifty, he will convert it into an unbeatable hundred and prove why he is the king. But that did not happen. But fingers crossed, he is looking terrific by the day. He is definitely going to turn it on during the World Cup; I have all the beliefs. Let’s back him,” Ashwin said.