If you're an Indian, you'd be happy to see Steve Smith opening: Deep Dasgupta

It came as an appalling shock to the cricketing fraternity post ace Australia batter, Steve Smith, opted to open the batting in Tests. The bewilderment was not so much regarding how he would cope technique-wise, but more to do with him forgoing his comfort zone, the number four spot, at which he has a mighty impressive track record in the longest format - 5,966 runs in 111 innings at a splendid average of 61.50 with 26 half-centuries and 19 fifties to his name.

Former India cricketer, Deep Dasgupta, reckoned that the Indian team would not be concerned to see Smith open the batting. He also expressed his perplexity over Smith's abrupt decision, and shed light on the same. 

"If you're an Indian, you'd be happy to see Steve Smith opening. You don't want to see Steve Smith batting at 4 or down the order because it's baffling. Almost the peak of his career he's done so well over so many years batting at that number. Starting to open? It's a different ball game you know. Anyone who has played any level of cricket will tell you that middle-order in Test cricket and opening are two very different jobs. When you're coming in to bat with 20 overs bowled and with a new ball, they're very different," stated Dasgupta in a video posted by talkSPORT on their YouTube channel.

Dasgupta also recounted an incident in which he had a conversation on the same with Smith himself.

"I bumped into him recently and I asked him 'you opening? What's that about?' And I did ask him, 'are you going to open against India as well?' And he said, 'yeah, I am thinking about it'. I said, 'yeah, you should, why not?' Because it's quite baffling," added Dasgupta.

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I've heard other teams doing it but not Australia: Dasgupta

The former top-order batter further proceeded to not understand the rationale behind the Australian management sending Smith to open the innings in the recent past, especially considering Australia not being a team who have had a history of experimentation.

"I can understand that he's not scoring runs and you're trying to still find a place for him. That's the only spot available. Stuff like, 'we can only fit you in there so why don't you try that position.' But that wasn't the case, was it? I don't know. I found it very surprising. I've heard other teams doing it but not Australia. There is a plan behind everything they have done the years," added the former wicketkeeper-batter.

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In the eight innings Smith has opened up until this point, he has registered just one 35-plus score.