Mumbai: Who does not love travelling? For cricketers, altogether, it’s a different story as they travel to another part of the world to explore the game in different conditions and test their abilities.
Despite the home-sickness that some athletes endure, there are few places that almost feel like home thanks to the warm hospitality. For Australia captain, Steve Smith, who has spent a significant amount of time in India since the start of the year, has said that India has almost become “his home away from home.”
The right-handed batsman previously captained the Aussies in the four-match Test series against India before taking over as captain from Mahendra Singh Dhoni at Rising Pune Supergiant in the Indian Premier League.
“I love India, and I really enjoy being here for long periods while playing,” said Smith said to Hindustan Times. “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.”
Smith also admitted how he was awestruck by the picturesque Dharamsala, but chose Pune as his favourite city due to a deeper connection.
“Dharamsala is beautiful, but I must be politically correct, and being a Rising Pune Supergiant, say Pune’s my favourite city in India,” he said. “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! 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.”
The Australia skipper rounded off by saying that the fans in India add a different dimension to the gentleman’s game.
“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.”
