India is a country which is known for its warm welcome to its guests. Many foreign cricket players consider India as their second home as they get so much love and support here. Same is the case with Australian captain Steve Smith.
Steve has spent a lot of time in India this year. First with the Australian team touring the country for a four-match Test series and then as captain of the Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2017. According to Steve Smith, India has almost become “his home away from home.”
In an interview to Hindustan Times, Steve Smith said, “I love India, and I really enjoy being here for long periods while playing. 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.”
Although he was stunned at the beauty of Dharamshala, he says that Pune is his favourite city because of his ties with the city. “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 further added “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,” said the Australian captain, “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.”