IND vs AUS: Steve Smith to lead Australia in Pat Cummins' absence

Australia cricketer Steve Smith has been roped in as a standby for the captaincy position, if regular Test skipper Pat Cummins remains unavailable for the remainder of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, against India.

After Australia's second successive loss to India in the four-match Test series, Pat Cummins flew back to Australia due to family-related health issues. Albeit, the Australian skipper had hinted that he would be back before the third Test commenced, but there is still no guarantee.

Steve Smith for captaincy; Cameron Green likely to be brought back: Reports

If cricket.com.au reports are to be believed, there is a strong possibility that the Australian vice-captain, Steve Smith, might be handed over the captaincy of Australia for the remainder of the series, in Cummins' absence. Notably, in recent times Aussies have been suffering from a lot many injury concerns, with the biggest blow being that of David Warner being ruled out of the remainder of the series due to an elbow fracture. 

However, amidst all the worries, a blink of hope still remains for the Australia management as Cameron Green is most likely to return for the third Test. Intially, Green was nursing a finger injury and the management remained concerned about his availability, but now the report further suggested that the 23-year-old has been showing good response to his recovery procedure and might be available just in time to resume playing from March 1.

Also, Mitchell Swepson has returned from Australia after attending the birth of his first child and also might be given a game in the third Test. The Australian management have been underfire for making too many unneccessary last-minute changes to their side, and especially focussing more on playing spinners, which has absolutely backfired at them.

India and Australia will be locking horns in the third Test from March 1 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. India are currently leading the Test series by 2-0 and will aim to seal their WTC final berth yet again.

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