Smith, who has eight ODI centuries, said he was not too
concerned about the differences between him and the home captain but to be
successful in this series, they will have to get Kohli out cheaply.
Steve Smith-led Australia arrived in India on Saturday to
play a 5-match One-Day International (ODI) series and three Twenty20
Internationals starting September 17. India captain Virat Kohli, who was the
highest run-getter in the five-match series against Sri Lanka with 330 runs,
will be a roadblock for the Aussies, said Smith. Speaking at a press
conference, Smith said that Kohli has a phenomenal ODI record and if they
manage to keep him quiet then hopefully they will have success in the tour.
The Indian captain recorded his 30th ODI century during his
splendid batting display in the Island nation, equalling Australian great Ricky
Ponting's record.
Smith, who has eight ODI centuries, said he was not too
concerned about the differences between him and the home captain but to be
successful in this series, they will have to get Kohli out cheaply.
"I am not too concerned about the differences with
Kohli. He is obviously a very good player and has a phenomenal ODI record.
Hopefully, we can keep him quiet as much as possible in this series. If we do
that then hopefully it can go a long way in us having success on this
tour," Smith told reporters after a practice session.
When Australia toured India for a Test series early this
year, the Bangalore match got mired into a controversy as Smith admitted to
looking towards their dressing room for assistance on a DRS call and described
it a "brain fade" moment.
Kohli had accused Smith of 'cheating' but the visiting
captain promised there won't be any controversy this time.
"I think it will be played in good spirit. It is a
hard-fought contest playing against India. Looking back at the last One-day
tour, I wasn't on it in 2013. It was a big run fest from memory. Pretty flat
wickets and big totals. We will see what we are presented with and it could be
the same again."
India chose to rest leading spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra
Jadeja but Smith said the hosts still have a potent spin attack.
"This is a completely different format compared to Test
cricket. Axar Patel has done well pretty well
for them. (Yuzvendra) Chahal is
in the squad as well. Kuldeep Yadav is a good bowler too. They certainly have
some good spin options and we have got to play them really well throughout the
series," Smith said.
"I think the One-day group has played spin pretty well
for a little while. Obviously, we are still learning in the Test format and
trying to improve. We are coming from a challenging tour of Bangladesh.
"Obviously the guys are learning and trying to improve.
Not sure that the ODI wickets will present quite as much as spin perhaps as
some of the Test wickets. We have to wait and see and adapt to the conditions
accordingly."
Smith also revealed that it was pre-planned that coach
Darren Lehmann will leave for home after the Bangladesh tour.
"There are no issues. We will be fine. David Saker has
been with us for a while now. It was announced about six months ago that Darren
was going to take rest from this series and Saker was going to take over."
Smith also hoped that leg-spinner Adam Zampa would do well
for them in the series.
"I hope so, he has got a pretty good record for us in
the last year or two. He has got some experience playing in the IPL. We know
what to expect from Zamps. If he gets his opportunity, he can hopefully have
some success on this tour."
Asked if playing an ODI series was ideal preparation ahead
of the Ashes series, Smith said," I don't think there is a problem with
that."
"I know before the last Ashes series there was a
one-day series here as well. There is plenty of time when we get back home and
play some Shield games also and get ready for the Ashes."
The skipper also praised former India all-rounder Sridharan
Sriram, who works with them as spin consultant.
"Sri has been really good. He has great knowledge about
how to play in these conditions. He has helped the players, particularly the
spin bowlers. He has great knowledge of the grounds in india. He has been
really good for this group."
Australia are scheduled to play against Board President's XI
on Tuesday while the ODI series-opener is slated for Sunday, September 17.
