M Clarke speaks on Steve Smith's captaincy, Yadav and Dhoni playing WC 2023

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke who was at the Fanatic Sports Museum presented the all-time great Don Bradman’s bat, that the legend used in India’s first tour of Australia in 1948. On the occasion, he also brought up the current series between India and Australia.

Michael Clarke told that this series to India is going to be a challenge phase for Steve Smith as a captain. He also pointed out that if Australia are to fight back in the series, Smith should lead from the front.

On Steve Smith and Australia’s prospects in the series

“Smith’s batting has been outstanding for a long time but his captaincy is challenged now. He needs to define the way for his team to have success,” Clarke said.

Earlier this year, Australia lost a closely fought series 1-2 against India. Last month too, Bangladesh secured their first ever test victory against them. While they levelled the series, it wasn’t the result quite expected from the Aussies.

For a moment it seemed Australia were at the top with India five wickets down. However, Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni combined for a splendid 118 run partnership for the sixth wicket to take India out of the rocks. Their contributions propelled India to a competitive total of 281/7.

“It’s high time that Australia make a comeback. I think this is the match that will decide the course of the series,” he said of the Eden second one-dayer on September 21.

On Kuldeep Yadav

The World Cup-winning captain was all praise for chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav.

“He is an attacking bowler. His control as a wrist spinner from the back of his hand is amazing and is his strength. He has got all the skills, spins both ways, bowls long spells. He did well in the Test series.”

On Indian skipper Dhoni

MS Dhoni has been in tremendous form recently and Clarke didn’t shy away from portraying his views on Dhoni’s future. “Don’t ask me whether he will play in the 2019 World Cup. He will play in 2023.”

On David Warner

Clarke was optimistic about Warner scoring runs in the series. Warner couldn’t hang in for a longer duration in the first game as he was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav.

“He got centuries in Bangladesh… It is hard to overlook him by seeing his performance in one game.

“He will find ways to score, he always does. He will have lot of impact in the series. He and Smith will be the leading scorers for Australia in the series. Hopefully, they start scoring from Kolkata.” He was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.