Steve Smith's battle with Rajkot heat, says 'Hottest conditions I've batted in'

Australian batter Steve Smith scored 74 runs in his 89 minutes stay at the crease in the 3rd ODI against India.

Australian middle-order batter Steven Smith played a magnificent innings against India in Rajkot. Steve Smith scored 74 runs of 61 balls in the final ODI to help Australians avoid a white-wash in the 3-match series. The right-hand batter played Indian bowlers with ease, but the scorching heat in Rajkot did trouble him. Smith did have his battle against the humid weather in Rajkot on Wednesday.

Australian batter Steve Smith also took to social media and termed Rajkot’s weather condition as the toughest he had batted in his entire career. Posting a story on Instagram, Steve Smith wrote, “Hottest condition I have batted in.” Similarly, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was also struggling due to extreme humidity during his 96-runs knock.

Steven Smith called a chair in drinks break

Due to the extreme heat, umpires took an early drink break in the 30th over. Steve Smith was batting alongside Marnus Labuschagne (72) and Australia had scored above 230 runs. Smith was spotted sitting in a chair with an ice pack, desperately trying to win his battle against Rajkot’s heat. Soon in the next over, Steve Smith was trapped in front of the wicket by Mohammed Siraj.

Steve Smith scored 74 runs on 61 balls with eight fours and a six. He added 137 runs for the second wicket along with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (96) in 19 overs. Steve Smith’s stay at the wicket lasted for about 89 minutes, which is close to one T20I innings. Australia defeated India by 66 runs in the final ODI, but India had already won the series after beating Australia in Mohali and Indore.

Australia posted 352 runs on the board with some great batting displays from Mitchell Marsh, David Warner (56), Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne. India's lower order collapsed against Australian bowlers after getting a decent start from captain Rohit Sharma (81) and Virat Kohli (56). Glenn Maxwell picked up four wickets to give Australia their consolation win.