"I have no idea, there are conversations happening in the background" - Steve Smith uncertain of his batting position in 2024/25 BGT

Australia's ace batter Steve Smith has admitted to not being certain about his batting position in the upcoming home Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia will play India in five Tests, starting in Perth on November 22.

Meanwhile, Smith has been opening the batting for Australia in Tests this year since the retirement of long-time opener David Warner. However, he has struggled to replicate his success from batting in the middle-order, averaging 28.50 in four Tests.

Much has been discussed about Smith's batting position for the marquee series against India, and the star batter addressed it in a conversation with reporters as quoted by Hindustan Times.

"I have no idea, there are cconversations happening in the background. Usman I think said that he likes me down at No.4. I think Marnus has similar thoughts. We will wait and see. I am happy anywhere, I'll bat wherever for the team but we'll see what happens," he said.

Smith averages a sensational 61.50 at his customary No. 4 position with almost 6,000 runs, including 19 centuries.

Despite his sub-par numbers at the top, his move to open has helped Australia play both all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh in the middle order, a key factor in their 2-0 series win in their last Test assignment in New Zealand.

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"We need to do that this year" - Steve Smith

Australia avenged their dismal recent Test record against India with the 2023 WTC final win[Credit: Getty]

Steve Smith admitted Australia are keen to turn around their recent struggles against India in bilateral Test series in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Despite the Aussies winning the last Test meeting between the sides in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final, India have won the previous four bilateral series. This includes back-to-back series wins in Australia by 2-1 margins in 2018/19 and 2020/21.

"We are probably the two best teams in the world at the moment in Test cricket. We played the World Test Championship final last year and beat them there. They have been great out here the last couple of times, played some really good cricket. Hopefully we can turn the tables. It's been 10 years since we last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. We need to do that this year," said Smith.

He added:

"It's great that we are able to play a five-match series against them. You can't really hide in a five-Test series like you probably can in a two-match series. If someone gets the wood on you, it can be hard coming back from that. It's going to be a wonderful series."

It will be the first time India and Australia face each other in a five-Test series since the 1991/92 affair in Australia.

The two teams are also atop the 2023-25 WTC standings with a rematch from last year looking likely in next year's final.

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