Steve Smith has called the Indian team the favorites to win the T20 World Cup after Virat Kohli’s side thrashed Australia in a warmup match in Dubai on Wednesday.
Smith half-century helped Australia to post a competitive 152 for five in the warm-up match but India’s batters chased down the total with 13 spare balls to record the 8-wicket win.
Smith said, “They’re a terrific side, they’ve got all bases covered and some serious match-winners.”
Smith added, “They’ve all been playing in these conditions the last couple of months with the IPL (Indian Premier League). So, they’ll be used to that.”
Australia’s bowlers captured only one wicket, with spinner Ashton Agar removing opener Lokesh Rahul for 39.
Rohit Sharma scored a 41-ball 60 to allow Hardik Pandya (14 not out) a bat with Surya Kumar Yadav (38 not out).
The all-rounder Marcus Stoinis bowled for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL, conceding 16 runs from his two overs.
The form of David Warner remains a major concern for Australia after the opener was trapped lbw by Ravichandran Ashwin for one.
Warner, who was dropped by IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad after twin failures with the bat, has managed only three runs from his last four innings.
The lefthander was not alone in his struggles, with Finch out for eight and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, batting at number three, removed by Ashwin for a first-ball duck.
Smith combined with Glenn Maxwell (37) and Stoinis (41 not out) to rally the Australians to a decent total.
The former skipper was glad to get runs after being barely used by Delhi Capitals on the IPL’s resumption in the Middle East.
He said, “I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball really well. I haven’t played too many games in the IPL but I’ve spent a lot of time in the nets, working on things and getting used to conditions.”
Australia will be playing against South Africa in their World Cup opener in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
