Smith knew it even then that getting past his counterpart in his own backyard was something like taking a piece of meat from the lion's den.
When Steve Smith's led side landed on Indian soil some six weeks ago for this four-Test series, they were expected to lose 4-0. Australians were described by most as the weakest bunch to tour India.
India, on the other hand, were enjoying the best winter in many years with eight wins in nine Tests. In all, not a single defeat in the last 20 games were enough to pump up their chests. In contrast, Aussies hadn't won a single Test in India ever since the series win in 2004.
Well, Smith knew it even then that getting past his counterpart in his own backyard was something like taking a piece of meat from the lion's den. Those three double centuries by Kohli against New Zealand, England and Bangladesh were enough to judge his form.
Smith got the shock of his life when Pune's under-prepared wicket stunned the host in literally no time. He sensed that this could well be his best chance to beat India and his boys too rose to the occasion. It's a different matter that whatever happened in the following three games were not what he wanted. But he knew at the honourable end of this entertaining tour in this picturesque Dhauladhar valley that "he has the team for the future".
"Right now, I feel a bit of disappointment. We have fought very hard throughout this series and to fall over at the final hurdle hurts," Smith said after the series defeat on Tuesday. "We have played a good style of cricket and competed in every Test. And for that I am really proud of the boys. This team has grown so quickly. We are still a very young side. Coming over here, we were written off. People said we were going to lose 4-0. But we competed and it has been great to be part of a fantastic series played in a good style. Credit has to go to India for winning 2-1," was how he summed up.
In assessing his players, Smith saved special praise for off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who did not have a good outing in Sri Lanka last year. "Lyon has got two five-wicket hauls, both in the first innings of the game (Bengaluru and Dharamshala Tests). He was able to change things up. When guys were sweeping him, he was willing to throw the fast one in to stop them and make them defend. It's good that these guys are thinking about the game and finding ways to succeed in these conditions. It's been a great learning curve for all the boys in the room. They are hurting now. It's always tough when you lose a series at the final hurdle but the guys are going to take so much out of this series."
As for the return of Pat Cummins, Smith is eager to unleash him in more favourable conditions. "I was really impressed with Pat Cummins. The pace he was able to generate, both here and in Ranchi on a relatively slow wicket, was absolutely amazing – he puts in effort every single ball," added Smith.
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