IPL 2019 | The more I have padded up the better I have felt, says Steve Smith

Steve Smith’s return to the helm of affairs in the Rajasthan Royals dugout has achieved fruitful results for the team as well as for him as a batsman. After being banned for a year over the sandpaper gate incident, Smith has been named in the Australian World Cup squad but hasn’t played an ODI for over a year now.

Smith didn’t have a great start in the IPL initially, but has regained his rhythm with every game and looked more confident after being appointed as the Royals skipper mid-way through the season. 

"I have probably taken a little while to sort of warm into things again. The start of the tournament did not go as well as I would have liked personally or collectively as a group. But I think the more I have padded up the better I have felt as the tournament has gone on,” Smith said, quoted TOI. 

Royals are in hot water at the moment and in dire need of winning the remaining games in order to make it to the playoffs. Smith was happy with the fact that his captaincy has resulted in three wins for Royals and also said how important the next two games are. And he is hoping his team get over the line in his absence.

"I've been able to contribute to a couple of wins probably in the last two matches. For us, collectively as a group now, we have won three out of the last four and it is very important for us to win the last two games to give ourselves a chance to qualify. We can't think about other results, all we can focus is on how we are playing and hopefully the boys can get over the line tomorrow night and then go and win in Delhi as well and give ourselves a chance to qualify."

For a player, who hasn't played any international cricket in recent times, IPL serves as a good stage to hone the skills and get the rhythm back. Smith has further said that IPL has served as a good platform to get ready for the big league and has said that ODI is just an extended version of T20 cricket.  

"The way the game is played now days, T20s almost prepare you well for 50-over cricket. I think 50 overs cricket is almost an extended version of T20. The game has evolved, particularly over the past few years. So it may be a good preparation personally for me to be able to play and then just spend time in the middle against quality opposition from India and around the world."

Smith will sign off this season after their encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday and will be hoping to bid a winning farewell.