Steve Smith: Playing in the IPL has been a lot of fun
BCCI
Steve Smith has said that he has enjoyed his time in IPL 2017 having played good cricket this season. The Rising Pune Supergiant skipper is also confident of his side’s chances in tonight’s final against Mumbai Indians, given that Pune have beaten Mumbai in three previous encounters this season.
Pune sealed their spot in tonight’s final on Tuesday after beating Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. However, there are a number of factors that have contributed to Pune’s success this season and Smith shared his thoughts on some of them.
On a personal note as well, Smith has enjoyed a successful IPL, being one of the leading run-scorers of the tournament. And Smith acknowledged this fact saying, “Personally, playing in the IPL has been a lot of fun for me. I have played good cricket, worked with MS a lot, trying to get the best out and hope to have one big day tomorrow . We have had a very successful season and so has Mumbai. I hope to have a good first IPL final personally,” as quoted by The Hindu.
Moreover given that Steve Smith and his men were the first side to qualify for the final and have enjoyed a three-day break going into it, the Australian believes the time off has served his side well. “It [the break] was good and we all had a good training session here before the final.”
Though Pune
However, Smith reaffirmed that Dhoni’s inputs have been an integral part of Pune’s success this season. “What we have to appreciate is that he has been around for so long and has always been sharing his views which have been really helpful to the team,” said Smith.
Finally, Pune’s leg-spinner Washington Sundar has been one of the finds of this season’s Indian Premier League, with the youngster impressing one and all with his performances. More importantly, his figures of 3/16 against Mumbai in the first qualifier is one of the main reason why Pune find themselves in the summit clash and Smith understandably had a word of praise for the Tamil Nadu lad saying, “It was an acid test for guys like him and he did really well."
