Maxwell issues a 'ominous' Steve Smith caution to Rohit Sharma and Co before BGT: 'He remained undeterred by all that...'

Australia's white-ball specialist Glenn Maxwell has issued a strong warning to the Indian team ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. With both teams gearing up for the five-match Test series, Maxwell has reminded India of the formidable challenge they will face from the Australian side. Australia is determined to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has eluded them for the past decade. Since their 2-0 victory in the 2014-15 series, Australia has suffered defeats in the subsequent four series against India. With losses to Virat Kohli's team in 2016-17 and 2018-19, as well as defeats against Ajinkya Rahane's side in 2021 and Rohit Sharma's team in 2023, Australia is eager to turn the tide in their favor. Maxwell's warning serves as a signal of the Australian team's fierce determination to emerge victorious in the upcoming series and reclaim the coveted trophy. The rivalry between these two cricketing giants promises to deliver an intense battle on the field, as both teams vie for supremacy in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

After beating India in the final, Australia won the World Test Championship title last year, but they have failed to produce consistent results in a full-fledged series.

Maxwell, who is currently playing in the ODI series against Pakistan, asserted that Smith is absolutely ready for the Indian challenge and tune in with his technique after watching him closely in the nets.

"Steve Smith looks really crisp with his footwork and his timing and his movement looked in sync. He looked like he was unfazed by everything that was thrown at him. There were a couple of balls on the green off the length and he was able to deal with them quite easily. And I suppose that's a really good sign of someone who is focused on the job and really in tune with their technique," Maxwell said on Around the Cricket show on ESPN.

Smith has been one of the most consistent performers for Australia in the Tests against India in the past few years. The former Australia skipper thrives when he faces the Indian team and has a great record with 2042 runs in 19 Tests at an astonishing average of 65.87, including 9 centuries.

Maxwell further discussed Smith's hunger to score runs and improve and said his current form is a scary proposition for his opponents this summer.

"To see him over the last week, putting in so many hours in training sort of says why he is one of the best players in the world. He is never satisfied. For the way he came out and bat the way he did, there was a nice moment where he hit a cover drive and you could see him looking at the big screen and give himself the nod of approval and that is a sign of him working on his tecnhnique and it is a scary proposition for this summer ahead," he further added.