India home away from home to me, says Steven Smith

Australian captain Smith, who plays for RPS in IPL, has said that India has almost become his home away from home BCCI

There was a time when cricket players would play only for their countries and domestic teams all year round. However, the advent of Twenty20 (T20) and franchise cricket has made the cricketing world a small place. It has brought the players from different nations together and helped them forge a tight bond. Camaraderie between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, who represent Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, is a prime example. Franchise cricket has also meant that players spend considerable time away from their country every year, thus resulting in their affection for that particular place. Australian captain Steven Smith has developed similar sentiments for India.

After having spent a good part of 2017 in India, first with the Australian team for a four-Test series and then as the captain of Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in IPL 2017, Smith has said that India has almost become his home away from home. I love India, and I really enjoy being here for long periods while playing, he told Hindustan Times in an interview. We come so often, it has almost become my home away from home. I even have favourite restaurants. The food s a bit spicy for me, but I can certainly make out the difference between North Indian cuisine and a South Indian preparation. Outside, the temperature takes a toll on you, but the warmth of the people makes up for that, he added.

Smith also said that though he admired the beauty of Dharamsala, Pune is actually his favourite city in the country. Dharamsala is beautiful, but I must be politically correct, and being a Rising Pune Supergiant, say Pune s my favourite city in India! Honestly, my second innings 100 in Pune recently is something I rate as one of my best ever and us going on to win that Test match was fantastic!, he said.

Smith also said that he was a little apprehensive before touring India for the first time. I honestly didn t know what to expect. But the passion people have for the game of cricket makes it so enjoyable for a professional cricketer to be here, he said, before adding, If asked to pick one thing I love about Indians, it d have to be their enthusiasm for everything: cricket, movies and life in general. If I have friends visiting, I d like to take them to a cricket match you can t see India through my eyes without experiencing the crowds and noise at a game.