India will be tough to beat in World T20, says Smith

The Australia squad, world champions in 50-overs cricket and number one in the Test world rankings, flew to South Africa on Sunday morning to prepare for the March 8-April 3 tournament. 

Their best result in the five previous versions came when they reached the 2010 final, however, a 3-0 drubbing by India in a recent Twenty 20 series has given them plenty of food for thought. 

“On any given day in T20 cricket any side can be dangerous, an individual can take a game away from you,” Smith told reporters at Sydney airport. 

“(But) I think India in Indian conditions are going to be very tough to beat. They’re a very good side as we saw out here in the three Twenty 20s we played in Australia so I think they’re going to be right up there.” 

No Australian cricket captain goes into a tournament or series believing victory is impossible, though, and Smith is no exception. 

“It’s going to be a tough tour in India, in conditions that are foreign to us. But it’s really exciting and I think we’ve got the squad to give that tournament a real shake,” the Australian captain added. 

Deprived of the advantage that their pace bowling brings them on home soil, Australia will look more to the batting line-up to make the difference in India - even if Smith is not yet sure how it will look.