New Delhi: He is currently the world's best batsmen in Test cricket. 18 tons, 50 half-centuries and a brilliant Test average of 60.34 is more than enough to describe the talent Aussie skipper Steve Smith is.


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But to the former Indian international Sanjay Manjrekar, it is his unusual style of play that overshadows his number to make him the number Test batsman.


"Amazing!" is the word that he used to describe the skipper.


On Day 2 of the second Test between India and Australia, Manjrekar, who was there in the commentary box, drew conclusions from his observation on Smith.


It was the 35h over of the match. Umesh was into the attack, trying to keep most of his deliveries towards outside off, when Sanjay remarked, "He goes against common logic and conventional wisdom to face the ball that is likely to keep low. He actually trusts his technique and hand-eye coordination."


He, in fact, finds his style of play rather bizzare as it is not something coaches teach their wards.


"Not only does he goes right back before the ball is played to him, but squares himself up totally. Then when you will notice his bat you know that it is coming from gully, yet he is able to hit all those quick deliveries," said the commentator.


 



The 27-year-old scored just eight runs in their first innings when he was sent back to the pavilion once again by Ravindra Jadeja, thanks to a brilliant catch Wriddhiman Saha.