Former Australia captain Steve Smith, who is leading Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing Indian Premier League, has said that competing in the cash-rich event has helped him massively to prepare for the upcoming 50-over World Cup.
After the ball-tampering scandal in March last year, Smith along with teammate David Warner was suspended from international cricket for 12 months by Cricket Australia. Subsequently, the BCCI had also barred the duo from participating in IPL 2018.
With the suspension period being over, both of them featured in IPL 2019 and now they are heading back home to join the national team camp for the World Cup, slated to being on May 30 in England and Wales.
"Personally for me, playing IPL is to spend some time in the middle to take on quality opposition and best players," Smith told reporters on the eve of Rajasthan Royals’ match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
While serving their bans, Smith and Warner had also participated in several T20 competitions such as Global T20 Canada, Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League, in their bid to get play time.
"I think T20 cricket almost prepares you well for 50 overs cricket. It is an extended version of T20 cricket, the way it has been played in the last two years," he added.
Asked about his World Cup preparations Smith said: "Preparations wise I am really comfortable. I head home and play three practice matches against New Zealand. A couple of warmup matches when we get to England. There is plenty of time to get prepared."
Rajasthan Royals are sitting at the seventh spot in the eight-team points table. In order to keep their play-off hopes alive, Smith and company ought to win their final two encounters.
"It is important for us to win the last two games to give us any chance to qualify for playoffs. I hope the boys would get over the line tomorrow and defeat Delhi Capitals thereafter," Smith said.
He also showered rich praise on all-rounder Shreyas Gopal.
"He has been terrific for us. Every time we have given him the ball, he has done the job for us. He has taken big wickets. He has varied skill sets. He bowls googlies, sliders and mixes things up.
"Also, his batting is under-rated. He has come in and played some very handy cameos at the end. He has also taken good catches. His package of cricket has been huge for us," Smith concluded.
(With PTI inputs)
